COALINGA - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the death of an inmate at Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) as a possible homicide. A medium-security inmate, age 42, was found unresponsive in his cell by staff on Monday, Aug. 14 at approximately 11:45 p.m.

Staff immediately responded with life-saving measures. The inmate was transported to Correctional Treatment Center (CTC), where he was pronounced dead at 12:38 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. CDCR is awaiting next-of-kin notification before releasing his name. The deceased inmate was received by CDCR in 2014 from Los Angeles County to serve a six-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance.

The inmate’s cellmate, age 36, has been identified as the suspect. He was received by CDCR from San Mateo County on April 19, 2016, with a sentence of life with parole for attempted murder. His name is being withheld pending investigation.

The Office of Inspector General, CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department were notified of the death.

PVSP houses minimum-, medium-, and max-security male inmates.  The prison opened in Fresno County in 1994, houses more than 2,900 inmates and employs approximately 1300 staff.