Dashawn Carter died in NYC DOC custody on May 7, 2022. Dashawn had been in a state psychiatric hospital before being transferred to Rikers Island. He was at Rikers Island for just two days when he died. He was the fourth person to die in NYC DOC custody in 2022. He was 25 years old.

“We would always be competitive and see who reads the books the fastest. I remember he would sit up in his bed late night, early morning, just read and read and read. You know, it was just so cool.”

-Christopher, Dashawn’s younger brother.

Dashawn (right in both photos) with some of his siblings.

Dashawn Carter (left) with his brother, Christopher Carter.

“Our mother, Alice Carter, she taught him how to play the piano. He loved playing the piano so much, and he was so good at it that my mother bought him a synthesizer. And he never stopped trying to learn.”

-Jeremiah Carter

Dashawn Carter is survived by Christopher Carter, Jeremiah Carter, brothers, Beatrice Carter, Nyasia Carter, Jaycee Carter, Jeremiah Carter II, Jay-Shawn Carter, Diane Van Dyke among many others who loved him.

In Honor: Lives Lost in City Jail was created for The Legal Aid Society by Phoebe Jones.