Joshua Tisak
Joshua Tisak, 32, of Beaver County, died on August 26, 2026, at State Correctional Institution Mercer in Findley Township. His father said the family believed he would be safe inside the prison. Pennsylvania State Police and Mercer County District Attorney Jacob C. Sander say he died of blunt force trauma after a physical fight with his cellmate, and a homicide charge against the cellmate has been held for court. Defense attorney Justin Ketchel says the fight was mutual, that Tisak fell from his bunk, and that the autopsy does not link the injury to the fight.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed). Pennsylvania State Police and the Mercer County District Attorney say his cellmate's beating caused the blunt force trauma death and brought a criminal homicide charge, while defense attorney Justin Ketchel says the two were in a mutual fight, Tisak fell from his bunk while severely intoxicated, and the autopsy does not link the injury to the fight.
Reported by: Pennsylvania State Police (outside investigators); Mercer County District Attorney Jacob C. Sander; Defense attorney Justin Ketchel (family or their lawyers); Family (family or their lawyers).