Inmate found dead in cell at Kern Valley State Prison

A Kern Valley State Prison inmate died within an hour of being found unresponsive in his cell Sunday evening, and his cellmate has been named a suspect in his death.

Brandon J. Lowery, 30, was found unresponsive at 8:30 p.m. and pronounced dead at 9:17 p.m., staff at the Delano prison said. He was serving a 10-year sentence for robbery and transporting a controlled substance.

His cellmate, Thrasher L. Holmeyer, was placed in segregated housing as the investigation into Lowery’s death continues. Holmeyer, 33, is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Inmate found dead in cell at Kern Valley State Prison."