Delaware State Police Investigate Inmate Death Following Fight at Delaware Psychiatric Hospital

State of DE - A 73-year-old Delaware Department of Correction inmate is dead after a fight with another inmate at the Delaware Psychiatric Hospital in New Castle, Delaware.

Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation after the incident, which happened on the evening of April 19, 2026.

Troopers responded to the hospital, located at 1901 DuPont Highway, at around 6:00 p.m. after receiving a report of an assault.

According to investigators, Fred O'Neal III, a sentenced inmate, got into a physical altercation with a fellow inmate. O'Neal suffered critical injuries during the fight.

He was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but did not survive.

O'Neal's body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is actively handling the case. No additional information has been released at this time.

It is not yet clear what led to the altercation or whether any charges will be filed in connection with O'Neal's death. Investigators have not said whether the second inmate was injured.

The Delaware Psychiatric Hospital is a state-run facility that serves individuals involved in the criminal justice system who require psychiatric care. The circumstances that brought O'Neal to the facility were not included in the information released by police.