Death Of Inmate At California State Prison In Lancaster Is Investigated

LANCASTER (CBSLA.com) — An inmate at California State Prison in Lancaster was reportedly found unresponsive in his cell Friday morning and his death is now under investigation.

Officials said inmate Gordon Rowell, 33, was found unresponsive around 9:30 a.m.

LAC staff immediately began lifesaving measures and an ambulance was called. Rowell was pronounced dead at 9:44 a.m. by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Rowell's next of kin has been notified. His cause of death is pending an autopsy.

The deceased was received by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on July 11, 2003, from San Diego County. He was serving a 13-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and resisting arrest.

The California Department of Corrections says LAC opened in 1993 and houses approximately 3,538 minimum, medium, maximum and high-security custody inmates.