Detainee found dead in cell
Jasmine Stole Weiss
A 33-year-old man who was being detained at the Department of Corrections' Hagåtña Detention Facility was found dead in bed Friday morning, according to Kate Baltazar, DOC deputy director.
Baltazar declined to release the name of the detainee, pending notification of his next of kin.
She said the detainee was found in his cell before 9 a.m. Friday by a corrections officer. The detainee was sharing a cell with another person, according to Baltazar.
Guam Fire Department medics, the Guam Police Department and the chief medical examiner were called to the scene, Baltazar said.
The Department of Corrections is waiting on the autopsy report.
Dr. Aurelio Espinola, chief medical examiner, said he will conduct an autopsy to determine the detainee's cause of death next week.
The Guam Police Department on Friday confirmed they are conducting a death investigation into the incident.
"This case remains open as the report has been forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division with an autopsy scheduled for next week," said Sgt. Paul Tapao, acting GPD spokesman.
Meno case
In March this year, 22-year-old detainee Justin Meno was rushed to the hospital after he sustained severe injuries while he was housed at Post 6, the maximum security unit at the Mangilao prison.
Meno spent months in the hospital before he died. Espinola concluded Meno died from asphyxia because of tumor in his throat.
Officials said Meno was beaten by inmates in Post 6. Three men, Albert Babauta Santos II, Jeremiah Santos Isezaki and Peter John Salas Gines are charged with attempted murder in connection with the assault on Meno inside the prison.
This story is developing.
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