33-Year-Old Woman Dies in NYC Custody After Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

A 33-year-old woman died early on April 12 at a Brooklyn courthouse after suffering a medical episode while in custody, authorities said.

Identified as Zamiqua Miller, she had been awaiting arraignment at Brooklyn Central Booking when she fell ill. Emergency medical teams responded quickly, but she could not be saved. Officials said she was pronounced dead at about 7:20 a.m.

Miller had been arrested late Friday on drug-related charges. Police sources said she was allegedly in possession of heroin, crack cocaine and a crack pipe during her arrest. She also had three active arrest warrants.

Miller had 23 prior arrests. These included charges such as drug possession, robbery, petit larceny, burglary and bail jumping.

According to the New York Post, in the hours leading up to her death, Miller was showing signs of drug withdrawal. Right before her death, she was taken to multiple local hospitals for treatment. However, each time she was discharged and returned to the booking facility on Schermerhorn Street near Smith Street.

But her condition worsened early Sunday morning while she was still in custody and awaiting court proceedings. At the time, Miller again experienced another medical episode, and authorities said her condition quickly became critical.

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office said Miller was scheduled to appear before a judge when she died. The cause of her death has not been released.

Her death marks at least the fourth fatality this year involving people held in city custody, including both police and correction facilities.

On March 22, a man named Vincent Thomas died while in custody in Manhattan. He had been arrested for petit larceny from a Harlem CVS store. Officials said he also experienced a medical issue before his death.

Just days later, on March 25, another man died while in custody. A 39-year-old Barry Cozart died at Rikers Island. Correction officers found him in need of medical help. Staff attempted CPR, but he did not survive and was later pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, another case involves a 49-year-old man, John Price, who was also being held at Rikers Island. Officials said he complained of needing to see a doctor and was later transferred to Elmhurst Hospital Center for treatment. He died hours later.