Prison Inmate Found Dead at Western Correctional Institution
State of MD - Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an inmate at Western Correctional Institution in Allegany County, Maryland. The investigation is being handled by the State Police Homicide Unit.
The deceased has been identified as Christopher White, 33. He was a state prison inmate at the time of his death.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, investigators with the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit were contacted by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit, also known as the DPSCS IIU. They reported that an inmate had been found unresponsive inside his cell.
White was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical service personnel. His body was then transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. The autopsy will be used to determine the cause and manner of his death.
Preliminary findings indicate that White was found unresponsive in his cell. Investigators believe his cellmate was present in the cell at the time of his death.
A suspect has been identified in connection with the case. That person is also an inmate at the facility. Authorities have not formally released the suspect's name, stating they will do so once charges are placed.
State Police Homicide Unit investigators are continuing to work the case. Crime scene technicians from the State Police and investigators with the DPSCS Internal Investigative Unit are assisting with the investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Office of the State's Attorney in Allegany County. That office will then review the case and determine whether to move forward with formal charges.
Western Correctional Institution is a maximum security facility located in Cumberland, Maryland. It is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
