Family of Rikers Island detainee, 20, who died of appendicitis files lawsuit against the city and Department of Correction.

The family of Ariel Quidone, a 20-year-old man who died from complications of appendicitis while in custody at Rikers Island, has initiated legal action against the City of New York and the Department of Correction (DOC). The family alleges that facility staff failed to address evident medical symptoms that ultimately led to Quidone’s death on March 15, 2025.

Quidone’s ordeal began shortly after his arrest for robbery on March 6, 2025, when he expressed fear for his safety during a phone call to his grandmother on March 8. Reports indicate that by March 15, Quidone had succumbed not to violence, as he had feared, but to septic complications stemming from a ruptured appendix, as confirmed by autopsy results.

The family’s attorney, Marc Battipaglia, highlighted the negligence involved in the case, stating that basic medical assessments could have easily identified Quidone’s deteriorating condition. Battipaglia emphasized that the symptoms he exhibited, including fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain, should have prompted immediate medical attention. The family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Bronx Supreme Court, citing claims of negligence, medical malpractice, and violations of civil rights. They are also requesting that New York Attorney General Letitia James conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Quidone’s death.

The Quidone family, grieving the loss of their son, has expressed frustration over the lack of answers regarding his death. Kim Quidone, Ariel’s mother, voiced her desire for accountability, while sister Kaylin Quidone lamented the lost opportunities for her brother’s future.

Tragically, Quidone’s death marked the third of what would eventually be 15 fatalities in New York City correctional facilities in 2025. A recent report by an independent federal monitor designated to oversee conditions in the city’s jails revealed ongoing concerns about inadequate healthcare and systemic failures within the DOC, attributing these shortcomings to a culture resistant to necessary reforms.

Quidone had been held on a ,000 bail, but the family, awaiting updates from the court system, did not know of his medical emergency until they discovered he was hospitalized at Elmhurst Hospital on March 14. Surveillance footage from Rikers Island depicted Quidone struggling with his health prior to his collapse, as he vomited and appeared visibly unwell, ultimately resulting in him becoming unresponsive in his cell.

The DOC’s internal documentation indicated that Quidone had been assessed at a jail clinic prior to the incident; however, medical records do not corroborate that he received appropriate medical attention. Quidone’s family is demanding accountability from the city and its correctional facilities as they seek justice for the tragic loss of their beloved son. The response, or lack thereof, from city officials remains to be seen as the community grapples with this tragedy.