The inmate, John L. Richards, had a projected release date of October 10th, 2012.
(SALEM) - The Oregon State Police and Marion County Homicide/Assault Response Team are investigating the death of an inmate at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem on Wednesday evening, September 13th.
At approximately 8:10 PM, Oregon State Penitentiary staff discovered 63-year old inmate John L. Richards unconscious in his double cell in a general population housing unit.
Medical staff and paramedics attempted to revive Richards, but he was pronounced dead at approximately 8:40 PM.
Richards was serving a 100-month sentence for first degree sexual penetration from Lane County.
He was admitted to prison on July 20, 2004, transferred to the penitentiary on March 3, 2005, and had a projected release date of October 10th, 2012.
An autopsy was conducted this morning at the Oregon State Medical Examiner's office. State Medical Examiner Karin Gunson determined the cause of death to be asphyxiation by strangulation.
Further information regarding the investigation will be released by the Marion County District Attorney's Office as it becomes available.
Inmate Autopsy Indicates Death by StrangulationSalem-News.com