Sean “Diddy” Combs, the 54-year-old music mogul, has been placed on suicide watch at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) as he awaits trial on serious charges, according to sources from PEOPLE. Combs was arrested on the night of Monday, September 16, at a Manhattan hotel. The following day, his indictment was made public, revealing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
After pleading not guilty, Combs was denied bail twice and remanded to MDC on September 17. While it is unclear whether Combs is suicidal, sources say his placement on suicide watch is a preventative measure due to his shock and uncertain mental state. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections, suicide watch involves frequent observation of inmates considered at risk.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, petitioned for his transfer to a facility in Essex County, New Jersey, during a court hearing. However, the decision is ultimately up to the Bureau of Prisons. Both PEOPLE and Combs’ legal team have reached out to prison officials for further comments.
MDC, known for its poor conditions, overcrowding, and history of violence and suicides, houses 1,600 inmates, many of whom are awaiting trial. Combs’ lawyers highlighted the unsafe environment in their request for bail, noting that several courts have deemed MDC unsuitable for pre-trial detention. They referenced multiple suicides at the facility and a recent murder earlier this summer.
Combs is accused of orchestrating “freak offs,” described by prosecutors as elaborate and coercive sex performances. He allegedly exploited his celebrity status and used drugs, including cocaine, ketamine, and oxycodone, to pressure women into participation. Some of these events were reportedly filmed without the victims’ knowledge. A raid on his Miami and Los Angeles properties in March led to the discovery of three AR-15 rifles and a staggering 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
A follow-up hearing for Combs is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at 10 a.m.