Kalief Browder Laid to Rest

Kalief Browder, the young man who committed suicide after spending three years at Rikers Island without a trial, was laid to rest on Tuesday.

At the funeral, his mother Venida Browder said “extreme paranoia was eating at Kalief and tearing him apart,” since his release from Rikers.

The 22-year-old was arrested at age 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack. He claimed he was innocent, but he spent the remainder of his teen years at the prison because his family could not afford to post his $10,000 bail.

“The system finally returned my son to me mentally scarred and with a broken spirit,” his mother said. “It’s an unbelievable, heart wrenching story; one that could have been prevented.”

Kalief spent more than 400 days in solitary confinement. As a sophomore at Bronx Community College he wrote a research paper on the subject this semester. He had a 3.56 GPA.

“I was so proud,” his mom said. “I just wish that it didn't have to come to this.”  

Kalief was the youngest of seven. His only sister thanked him for checking in on their mom one last time before his death.

“He said, ‘Ma, you alright?,’” his mom said. “Kalief then went upstairs for the last time and took his own life.”

His older brother, Kamal Browder, said the two had a friendly video game feud that was left unfinished. They had each won 10 games on NBA 2K.

“I'm going to see him again and I'm going to have that match. My tie-breaker,” he said.

He affectionately called Kalief his "annoying" little brother.

“Now I’m going to have to find a way to live my life without him."

Family and friends said they would remember Kalief's big eyes and smile, his laughter and that he always said “thank you.”

His brother Hakeem said he would ask God about his youngest brother every day.