March 19--The death of a 33-year-old inmate at the California state prison in Lancaster is being investigated as "suspicious" pending the outcome of an autopsy.
Gordon Rowell, who was serving a manslaughter sentence, was found unresponsive in his cell Friday morning after other inmates apparently alerted guards he was unconscious.
Rowell was pronounced dead in the medical facility at the California State Prison-Los Angeles County after life-saving measures failed to revive him.
Officials have not said why they view the death as suspicious, but further details will be released after the autopsy is complete.
Rowell entered the prison system on July 11, 2003, from San Diego County and was serving a 13-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and resisting arrest, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
jack.dolan@latimes.com
Twitter: @jackdolanLAT
