Nicholas Rodriguez
Nicholas Rodriguez, 24, was held at California State Prison, Solano, in Vacaville, California. His mother, Maria Rodriguez of Oakland, said she had been given no details about what happened and was still waiting for answers. He was reported missing on May 4, 2015, the day of a riot in a prison yard, and his body was later found in a confined space in his housing unit. Prison officials classified the death as a homicide and said it is under investigation, and an autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press says he was killed by blows to the head. The Associated Press also reported that he was not counted as missing until a later headcount, and the prison has said his cellmate is considered the only suspect, though no one has been charged.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). Prison officials say another incarcerated man is suspected of killing him, and an autopsy obtained by the Associated Press found blows to the head; the AP reports staff did not count him as missing until a later headcount, about 14 and a half hours after a yard brawl.
Reported by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (the agency that held him); Solano County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Associated Press (reporters).
News reports (9)
- Riot Preceded Inmate Homicide At Vacaville Prison
- Brawl erupts, inmate found dead at Vacaville prison
- Prison inmate killed in Solano prison homicide identified
- Riot Proceeds Death Of Vacaville Inmate
- Grisly Inmate Death at Solano Prison
- California prison inmate murdered and disemboweled during riot, autopsy says
- Autopsy: NorCal inmate nearly cut in half, organs go missing
- Mysterious prison killing leaves California inmate sawed in half with organs missing
- Autopsy report on state prison inmate’s death reveals gruesome details