BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department announced that 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam, who was previously reported missing, was found dead.
Police reported Shah Alam was missing earlier this week and said he was last seen near the intersection of Niagara Street and Ontario Street.
On Wednesday, police said officers responded to a dead body call on the first block of Perry Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Shah Alam was identified by the Erie County Medical Examiner and his family was notified.
Police previously reported that the Erie County Medical Examiner conducted a full autopsy and the cause of death was health-related in nature. But the Erie County Department of Health issued a statement on Thursday that said in part:
"Despite reports that our Medical Examiner’s Office has established a cause and manner of death, we have not provided that information to anyone. Our Office is still investigating, this case is still pending, and we do not have a timeline for when our investigation will be complete.
When we do have our findings, we will share them with appropriate law enforcement agencies and others legally entitled to that information.
We do not have any other information to release."
WATCH: Man reported missing by Buffalo police found dead on Perry Street
The Investigative Post first reported on Shah Alam's disappearance on Tuesday. We have learned that he came to the U.S. as a refugee from Burma, and was partially blind and spoke limited English. Now we're learning more.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Shah Alam was arrested a year ago and issued a statement detailing a timeline of events.
- February 2025: Shah Alam was arrested following an incident in Buffalo’s Riverside neighborhood that resulted in minor injuries to two Buffalo Police officers. He was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on February 16, 2025, and was held on bail set at $25,000 cash or bond. A federal immigration detainer was issued after his arrest.
He was later indicted by a Grand Jury on felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief charges.
- June 2025: At his arraignment on the indictment in June 2025, his bail was modified to $5,000 cash or bond. He continued to be held on bail as the case proceeded to trial.
"Following a careful review of the facts and discussions with his defense counsel, I exercised my prosecutorial discretion to offer a reduced plea in the interest of justice," Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said. "My decision was the result of a comprehensive evaluation of his conduct, criminal history, acceptance of responsibility, medical condition, time served in pre-trial custody, and the proposed resolution. I also considered the significant collateral consequences that would result from a felony conviction - including mandatory deportation. The police officers and another complainant were advised of the plea offer and would have the opportunity to be heard by the judge at the time of sentencing.
"It is the primary objective of this office to ensure accountability, protect public safety, and promote fair and equitable outcomes. In this matter, the reduced disposition appropriately held the defendant accountable for the crime while avoiding a penalty that would be unduly harsh and disproportionate to the offense."
- February 9, 2026: Shah Alam pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of third-degree criminal trespass. His bail was continued at $5,000 cash or bond and the matter was scheduled for sentencing on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
"At the time of the plea, it was our understanding and agreement with defense counsel that he would remain in custody on bail while pending sentence," DA Keane said. "Our office was not aware of his release until yesterday. We have been informed that the federal immigration detainer remained in place at the time his bond was posted on Thursday, February 19, 2026. My office will move to dismiss the charges upon receipt of his death certificate.
"As the District Attorney, I want to protect the safety of everyone in our community. My office will continue our review of this matter to determine whether any lessons can be learned to help prevent future tragedies. My thoughts remain the family and friends of Mr. Shah Alam as they grieve his passing.”
The Erie County Sheriff's Office released the following statement to 7 News on its involvement in the matter:
“Nurul Amin Shah Alam was booked into the Erie County Holding Center on February 16, 2025 after being arrested by the Buffalo Police Department. Upon his admission, an immigration detainer was lodged by U.S. Border Patrol. Mr. Shah Alam was released from our custody on February 19, 2026 after bond was posted. Per Erie County Sheriff's Office standard practice, the agency that lodged the detainer was informed of Mr. Shah Alam's pending release. U.S. Border Patrol arrived at the Holding Center prior to the finalization of Mr. Shah Alam's release from Erie County Sheriff's Office custody. We did not delay - nor do we ever delay - the release process based on a detainer. Any inquiries about the circumstances that occurred after Mr. Shah Alam's release from our custody should be referred to the appropriate agencies."
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Spokesperson released a statement to 7 News that said the sheriff's office alerted Border Patrol "about a non-citizen in their custody," and agents confirmed that Shah Alam entered the U.S. as a refugee in December 2024 and was not amenable to removal. The spokesperson said rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station, agents offered him a courtesy ride, "which he chose to accept" to a coffee shop that was determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address.
"He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance," the spokesperson said. "The U.S. Border Patrol defers to the Buffalo Police Department for further questions."
You can read the full CBP statement below:
"On February 19, 2026, Erie County Sheriff’s Department alerted Border Patrol about a non-citizen in their custody. Our agents confirmed that Mr. Shah Alam entered the United States as a refugee on December 24, 2024, and was not amenable to removal. Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance. The U.S. Border Patrol defers to the Buffalo Police Department for further questions."
Friends of the family of Shah Alam spoke out as they search for answers. They said the family had all the paperwork, they paid the bond, and they were waiting for him to be released.
"They were going to pick him up, go home...break fast, and all of a sudden they don't even know, they had to break their fast inside the car," MD Karim said. "But in the meantime, CBP came to pick him up."
According to Karim, they tried to figure out what was going on, but they don't know what happened.
"How in a place like the United States of America, how does something like that happen here?" Khaleda Shah said. "We don't feel safe at all. The family does not feel safe. And here, especially in the City of Buffalo, we're supposed to be in the City of Good Neighbors.
"If our system is failing us, how can we trust our neighbors to be good to us? It's not OK. It's totally not OK."
WATCH: 'We don't feel safe': Friends speak out after missing man was found dead in Buffalo
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan released the following statement on Shah Alam's death on Wednesday:
"The preventable death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam is deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A vulnerable man — nearly blind and unable to speak English — was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location. That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection must answer for how and why this happened.
Buffalo is a city that welcomes refugees and believes government should protect human dignity, not endanger it. U.S. Customs and Border Protection failed that basic standard."
