4th Inmate Death In Recent Weeks Reported At Graterford

Authorities said that another Graterford Inmate has died, the fourth such case since January.

Jose Rivera was found unresponsive in his cell at 5:55 p.m. on March 3, authorities said.

He was pronounced dead at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery at 6:32 p.m.

Rivera had been serving a five to ten year sentence for an aggravated assault in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident, as they do with all prison deaths.

Three other recent deaths in the prison are also under investigation. On Feb. 14, Christian Gilchrist, 31, was found dead in his cell. He had been serving a five to 15 year sentence for aggravated assault. And on Jan. 30, it was announced that a 68-year-old inmate was found dead in his Graterford cell. Arthur Phillips had been serving a 10-to-20 year sentence for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under 16.

Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 17, Isaac DeJesus, 37, who was serving a three to six year sentence for assaulting juveniles in Philadelphia, was found dead.

A cause of death has not been announced for any four of the victims.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Patch file photo