BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WJAC) — A homicide investigation is underway after an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell just before midnight Wednesday at State Correctional Institute Benner Township.
Officials say 23-year-old Derric Harsh was taken to the hospital early Thursday morning, where he later pronounced dead at 1:08 a.m.
After completing an autopsy, it was determined that Harsh died from manual strangulation and the manner of death was ruled homicide, according to the Centre County coroner’s office.
Harsh was serving eight to 16 years for rape out of Lancaster County and had been housed at Benner Township since Feb. 2, 2017, officials say.
State police in Rockview are assisting the investigation.
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