Messiah Nantwi
Messiah Nantwi, 22, died on March 1, 2025, at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, where he was held in state custody. Prosecutors say the Onondaga County Medical Examiner found he died from traumatic brain injuries caused by blows to the head, along with dozens of other blows to his body. Prosecutors say correction officers carried out the beating after a brief confrontation, and body camera footage was described as showing officers beating him. Ten officers were indicted in February 2026, two for second-degree murder, and at least nine have since pleaded guilty to roles in the beating or its cover-up, while others await trial. The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation lists his death as involving state corrections staff.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. Prosecutors say correction officers beat Messiah Nantwi, and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner attributed his death to traumatic brain injuries from blows to the head; ten officers were indicted and have pleaded not guilty.
Reported by: Onondaga County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick; Onondaga County prosecutors; New York State Office of the Attorney General, Office of Special Investigation (outside investigators).
News reports (6)
- New York Attorney General, Office of Special Investigation data tables
- Six Mid-State COs, involved in inmate's death, make appearances in Oneida County Court
- Former Mid-State CO charged in Messiah Nantwi's death sentenced to prison
- CO pleads guilty to mopping blood off floor in Mid-State beating death
- 10 NY prison guards indicted, 2 for murder, in connection to inmate's beating death - ABC News
- Two former Mid-State prison COs reject final plea offers ahead of next week's trial