LANCASTER – Officials at California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) are investigating the death of an inmate that occurred on Sunday, April 3, 2016.
Inmate Porfirio Castro, 44, was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 8:44 a.m. LAC staff immediately began lifesaving measures; however, Castro was pronounced dead at 9:12 a.m.
Next of kin has been notified. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Castro was received by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) on Oct. 23, 2013, from Los Angeles County to serve a six-year sentence for second-degree robbery.
Prison officials have named Castro’s cellmate, Robert Vasquez, 47, as a suspect. Vasquez was received by CDCR on Dec. 6, 1989, from San Diego County to serve a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for first-degree burglary. He remains in administrative segregation pending the outcome of an investigation by LAC and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
LAC opened in 1993 and houses approximately 3,500 minimum-, medium-, maximum- and high-security custody inmates. LAC offers academic classes and vocational programs and employs approximately 1,500 people. For more information, visit www.cdcr.ca.gov.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2016
CONTACT: Lt. Duane Bennett
(661) 779-2000 EXT. 6912
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