MD Prison Inmate Death Investigated By State Police

WESTOVER, MD — A prison inmate died in his cell at the Eastern Correctional Institute in Westover in Somerset County, and authorities said another inmate is a suspect in the death.

No charges have been filed as of Monday, according to Maryland State Police, as investigators continue to look into the death of Donyell Cornell Morris, 24. A news release said he was declared dead on Sunday by emergency medical service personnel at the prison in Somerset County.

At 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigative Division about the death. The preliminary investigation indicates Morris was in a cell with another inmate before being found lying on his bunk and unresponsive by correctional officers.

Maryland State Police investigators along with crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to the scene.

Upon completion, the investigation will be presented to the Somerset County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.