Man Strangled Cellmate To Death Inside Suffield Prison: State Police

SUFFIELD, CT — A New London man serving time in state prison has been charged with murder in connection with the strangulation death of his cellmate at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, according to state police.

Kyle McKinnon, 31, is accused of strangling his cellmate, Kenne Montaner-Buscampbell, 25, to death Dec. 12. He then disposed of the victim's body in the cell block common area before confessing to the murder, according to an arrest warrant.

McKinnon said in an interview with police, "I strangled him and tried to kill him. That's all there is."

He said it occurred to him that morning, sometime prior to getting breakfast.

"I had thoughts in my head," McKinnon said, according to the arrest warrant. "I don't really know what the hell is going on."

McKinnon told investigators he woke up in the top bunk, used the bathroom, washed his hands, then began to choke the victim, who was sleeping on the bottom bunk.

"I feel bad enough as it is because honestly he was a good dude, but I can tell when somebody's lying," McKinnon told investigators. He also said he told Department of Correction staff "multiple times" not to place him in a cell with anyone, according to the arrest warrant.

He was charged with murder and first-degree strangulation. His bond was set at $1 million.

McKinnon was convicted in late 2021 of first-degree assault in connection with the stabbing of a New London woman. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, suspended after nine years, plus five years' probation, according to judicial records.