Family hires lawyer in Bronx teen's death in NYPD custody that's been ruled a suicide

City medical examiners said Monday they have ruled the death of an 18-year-old woman in NYPD custody earlier this month a suicide — but her family is continuing to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding her death.

Saniyah Cheatham, an 18-year-old from the Bronx, died by hanging herself in a holding cell at the NYPD’s 41st Precinct stationhouse in Longwood on July 5, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The office did not immediately provide further details.

Police have said Cheatham was found unresponsive around 12:40 a.m. that day, leading multiple officers to perform CPR on her while waiting for an ambulance. She was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to NYPD officials.

Cheatham’s family held a press conference Monday outside the stationhouse with their attorney Ben Crump, a nationally known civil rights lawyer, and more than a dozen activists and community members. Crump — who has represented relatives of various people killed by police, including Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others — said he planned on “exploring every possible legal remedy to get to the truth.”

“It is a hypocritical dynamic where you have the video, you know what happened, but you're gonna make this family have to go through all kinds of hoops and hurdles to find out what happened to their daughter,” he said.

Cheatham’s family previously pushed back on police officials’ statements to the New York Times and other outlets that she hanged herself with a sweater. Her mother, Thomasina Cheatham, said her daughter was in good spirits at a July Fourth barbecue with relatives and was not wearing a sweater at the time.

“ I just want to know what happened to Saniyah,” Thomasina said Monday, describing her as “bright, independent, smart and outgoing.” “That was my only daughter and she didn't deserve this.”

The family said they had not heard anything official from the chief medical examiner’s office about the suicide ruling.

“We're not saying it's impossible, but it does make you scratch your head,” Crump said. “It is not adding up to the family. That's why they want to see the video.”

Police have not said why Cheatham was in their custody, but the Times reported she was arrested on July 4 in an assault case.

Asked for comment Monday, an NYPD spokesperson said its Force Investigation Division is reviewing the incident.

Tamika Mallory, cofounder of the social justice organization Until Freedom, encouraged community members to reach out to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and demand the department release body-camera and surveillance video showing what happened while Cheatham was behind bars.

“ We will not stop fighting until we get justice for Saniyah,” Mallory said. “We will stand with this family. We will not leave your side.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit NYC 988 online.