Kevin Joseph Kelly
Kevin Joseph Kelly, 36, was held at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, when he died on August 19, 2026. Reports say he was found unresponsive in his two-person cell with signs of injury, and staff called EMS, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Michigan State Police are investigating his death as a suspected homicide, and they have identified his cellmate as the suspect. The Michigan Corrections Organization union says the cellmate had two earlier assaults on cellmates this year and blames staffing shortages and a lack of maximum-security space. The Department of Corrections has declined to give further details while the investigation is open.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). State police are investigating his death as a homicide and identified his cellmate as the suspect, while the Michigan Corrections Organization union says the cellmate had two earlier assaults on cellmates this year and blames staffing shortages.
Reported by: Michigan Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Michigan State Police (outside investigators); Michigan Corrections Organization.
Sources (7)
- Cellmate suspected in inmate’s killing at Ionia prison
- Michigan prison inmate death being investigated as a homicide
- Michigan State Police investigating death of inmate as a suspected homicide
- Inmate found dead in cell at Michigan prison
- 2nd suspected homicide investigation in 5 months at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Michigan
- Inmate death at Ionia state prison being investigated as homicide
- Michigan prison officers union cites system issues after Bellamy Creek inmate homicide