Nicholas Hill
Nicholas Hill, 33, was held at the Colorado State Penitentiary when a fight broke out in March 2023. According to his family, he went to help a friend who was being beaten, and he was punched and kicked in the head by other men held there. He was taken by helicopter to a hospital, where he died on March 26, 2023, and the El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled his death a homicide from blunt force injuries to the head and neck. His father described him as deeply devoted to his brothers, sisters and parents, and as having been due for release months before he died. Three men were prosecuted in connection with his death, and the defense and prosecution disagree about who started the fight.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. The coroner ruled the death a homicide from blunt force injuries to the head and neck after other inmates beat him in a prison fight.
Reported by: El Paso County Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Fremont County Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Colorado courts and prosecutors (court).
News reports (5)
- Three Colorado inmates charged in violent March murder inside Cañon City prison, 2nd in a year
- Colorado State Penitentiary inmate sentenced for role in death
- Department of Corrections inmate sentenced for role in offender death
- Third inmate sentenced in beating death of Colorado State Penitentiary offender
- Sentences extended for Colorado inmates following deadly prison fight