Thorne Harnage
Thorne Harnage died on April 4, 2025, while held at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, during an attack that killed three men. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said a single man held at the prison acted with intent to harm the three men, and its Inspector General opened a criminal investigation. Another man held at the prison later confessed to the killings, telling the Arizona Mirror that he used a rock. As of July 2025, the case had been referred to Pinal County prosecutors for review, and the county medical examiner was also involved.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. The Arizona Department of Corrections says a fellow prisoner killed Harnage in an altercation, and the prisoner has confessed to killing him with a rock.
Reported by: Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (the agency that held him); Arizona Department of Corrections Inspector General (outside investigators); Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller; Ricky Wassenaar (witnesses).
News reports (10)
- Altercation results in three dead at Tucson prison complex
- Trial date set for murder trial of inmate accused of killing three fellow prisoners
- 3 dead after ‘altercation’ in Arizona State Prison
- 3 inmates killed in fight Az State Prison in Tucson; Suspect already serving life for 2004 prison standoff
- Investigation into Tucson prisoner’s deaths ongoing
- He confessed to killing 3 other inmates months ago. The DOC just referred charges for the slayings.
- He confessed to killing 3 other Tucson inmates months ago. The DOC just referred charges for the slayings.
- Pinal County seeking death penalty against Ricky Wassenaar
- Death penalty sought against confessed Tucson prison inmate killer
- Inmate accused of killing 3 other prisoners, including child sex offenders, to face trial