Howard Donath
Howard Donath, 74, died on February 9, 2026, while held at Pinckneyville Correctional Center in Perry County, Illinois, in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Perry County coroner, Paul Searby, has classified his death as a homicide; according to the Southern Illinoisan, the coroner said it was a stabbing during a fight involving several other people held at the prison and is part of an active investigation. His brother, Randy Donath, said the family had received little information about what happened and felt let down by the state. The state had not responded to the newspaper's request for comment at the time of reporting.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. Perry County Coroner Paul Searby says Howard Donath was fatally stabbed during a physical altercation involving four other people held at the prison, and the death is under active homicide investigation.
Reported by: Perry County Coroner Paul Searby (medical examiner or coroner); Randy Donath (family), who says the assistant warden informed the family (family or their lawyers).