DELANO ― Officials at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) are investigating the April 30, 2022 death of Alfredo Valenzuela, 50, as a homicide.
On Saturday at approximately 2:05 a.m., officers discovered Valenzuela unresponsive in the cell he shared with Noe Herrera, 36, during a security check. An emergency medical alert was immediately issued, and staff quickly responded and attempted life-saving measures. He was taken to the institution’s Treatment and Triage Area for medical treatment; however, he was pronounced deceased at 2:31 a.m. His next-of-kin has been notified.
Herrera was removed from the cell, and has been rehoused at the institutions Administrative Segregation Unit pending investigation.
Valenzuela was received by CDCR from Los Angeles County in November 2010 with a life-without-parole sentence for two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and vehicle theft.
Herrera was received by CDCR in August 2019 from Santa Barbara County with a life-with-parole sentence for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.
KVSP opened in 2005 and houses more than 3,200 minimum-, medium-, and high-security custody inmates. KVSP offers academic classes and vocational programs and employs approximately 1,500 people.
###