YNW Melly Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Requests Release From Jail

YNW Melly has tested positive for coronavirus while behind bars.

The incarcerated rapper was diagnosed Thursday while awaiting trial in Florida for his double-murder case. As a result, he will be requesting a restricted release from Broward County jail, where he is being held.

His team took to Instagram to share the announcement with his 3.4 million followers. “Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail,” read the statement. “He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus.”

He has also asked fans for their prayers during this time. “He hopes for your support and to recover soon #prayformelly send positive energy to him please.”

Melly is one of two inmates at Broward County who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Activist groups have called for the release of all nonviolent inmates in order to reduce crowding as infections spread. As of Thursday morning, 1,346 of Florida’s 8,010 cases were in Broward County, according to WLRN.

The “Suicidal” hitmaker is facing the death penalty after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the October 2018 shooting of his friends, Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. He has been in jail since February 2019.

Earlier today, 6ix9ine was released from a federal prison four months early over concerns for his health amid the coronavirus outbreak.