Pennsylvania State Police. Photo by James Short.
Pennsylvania State Police are conducting an investigation.
An inmate at State Correctional Institution Phoenix in Skippack was found dead in his cell Sunday morning.
Ashokkumar Guru, 67, was found unresponsive and prison staff and EMS responded for lifesaving measures, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Guru was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m.
Authorities told PerkValleyNow that Guru was serving a life sentence for first degree murder on a Philadelphia County conviction. He arrived at SCI Phoenix on Dec. 22, 2021, according to authorities.
“In accordance with policy, Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct an investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office,” said Ryan Tarkowski of the Department of Corrections.
Guru’s next of kin has been notified.
The Department of Corrections had no comment on whether it is being investigated as a homicide.
"The Pennsylvania State Police is handling this investigation, as is standard operating procedure for inmate deaths," Tarkowski said. "They would (be the one to ask about) criminal charges."
A call made and email sent to Pennsylvania State Police-Skippack PIO Trooper William Butler were not returned by time of publication.
Stay tuned for further updates.
