A medical examiner has ruled the death of a Haitian asylum seeker after her release from federal custody a homicide. Her family's attorney says they plan to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Daphy Michel, 31, died on March 2 in Pittsburgh. She was found at a bus shelter. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office determined her cause of death was hypothermia and classified the manner as homicide. That ruling means "the death was caused by the actions of another individual," according to the office. It's not a criminal charge but a legal finding for death certificates.

Michel was a Haitian national seeking asylum in the United States. She'd been in ICE custody before her release. Her attorney said the family expects to file a lawsuit against ICE, alleging the agency's actions — or failure to act — led to her death.

"The death was caused by the actions of another individual," the medical examiner's office said in its ruling.

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Being outdoors in cold weather without adequate shelter or clothing can trigger it within hours. Pittsburgh in early March can see temperatures near or below freezing.

The case raises questions about how ICE handles the release of asylum seekers, especially those who may not have resources or a place to go. Michel's death has drawn attention to the conditions vulnerable migrants face after leaving federal custody.

The family's lawsuit will likely argue that ICE was negligent in releasing Michel without ensuring her safety. The medical examiner's homicide ruling gives them a stronger legal basis — it officially states that another person's actions contributed to her death. No criminal charges have been filed, and the ruling doesn't automatically trigger a prosecution. But it can be used in civil court to support claims of wrongful death.

Michel was a 31-year-old woman from Haiti who fled to the United States seeking asylum. Haiti has been plagued by political instability, gang violence, and economic collapse, pushing thousands to migrate north. Michel was in ICE custody at some point before her death, though details of her detention and the circumstances of her release haven't been made public. Her attorney said she was released from federal custody shortly before she died.

  • Daphy Michel, 31, Haitian asylum seeker
  • Died March 2, 2026, in Pittsburgh
  • Found at a bus shelter
  • Cause of death: hypothermia
  • Manner of death: homicide (ruled by Allegheny County Medical Examiner)
  • Family attorney says lawsuit against ICE is coming