Investigation Launched Into Inmate’s Death At CT Prison

NEW HAVEN, CT — An inmate at the New Haven Correctional Center has died after being found unresponsive in his cell Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Correction.

Andrius Banevicius, public information officer for the Department of Correction, said Friday the department, Connecticut State Police and the Office of the Inspector General are investigating the death.

The inmate was identified as Gamboy Guaranda, 33, of New Haven. He had been incarcerated on a $250,000 bond since his arrest by New Haven police in August 2025. Charges of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child were pending against him, state Judicial Branch records show.

According to Banevicius, a correction officer was doing a routine tour around 8 a.m. on April 16. The officer came upon a cell window that had been covered, obstructing the view into the cell.

The officer failed to get any response from the inmate. After gaining entry to the cell, the officer saw the inmate was unresponsive, with a bed sheet tied around his neck, Banevicius said. The other end of the sheet was fastened to the cell door. The inmate was alone.

Prison staff removed the ligature and started life saving measures. Paramedics arrived and rushed the man to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 8:37 a.m., according to Banevicius.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

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