After several days of protests and widespread confusion, the body of inmate Edwin Segarra has now been released to his family, according to protest group Black Lives Matter Greater New York.
Segarra, an inmate of Sunset Park’s Metropolitan Detention Center died on Feb. 5 from COVID-19 days after receiving a vaccine for the virus at the facility — spurring both anger and confusion alike.
Segarra’s son, Eddie, said on Feb. 8 that the jail refused to provide details surrounding the death, or release the deceased’s body for funeral services, which prompted a protest outside the jail that evening. With megaphones and signs, demonstrators demanded Edwin Segarra be returned to his family.
Two days later, prison management released the body on Feb. 10th.
“I feel really good. I’m happy my family can finally put my father’s body to rest, but there’s still questions that need answering,” Eddie Segarra said.
Now, Segarra’s family is looking to have these questions answered — including by submitting his body for an autopsy in order to better discern the mystery surrounding his death.
Although the process has been, and will continue to be, an emotional rollercoaster ride, loved ones say they must discover the truth behind what exactly led to his death from the novel coronavirus after being inoculated — which, the CDC says, is rare but not impossible.
The family hailed the small consolation of getting their loved one;s body back to the aid they received from Black Lives Matter Greater New York.
“I feel tremendously grateful for BLM Greater NY’s help. Without their help, I didn’t have anyone else to turn to, Black Lives Matter Greater NY, was there for me when I needed them most,” Eddie Segarra said.
This story first appeared on amNewYork.
