BELLEFONTE, PA — The State Correctional Institution at Rockview is at the center of a formal inquiry following the death of inmate Gary Vandenberg. The 52-year-old prisoner was found unresponsive in his cell on November 11, 2024. Despite prompt intervention by prison staff and emergency medical services, Vandenberg was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m.
Vandenberg, who was serving an 8-to-20-year sentence for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, had been an inmate at SCI Rockview since November 23, 2015, following a conviction in Bucks County. The circumstances surrounding his death have prompted the institution to adhere strictly to protocol by notifying the Pennsylvania State Police, who will be conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
The inquiry will seek to determine the precise cause of death, which awaits confirmation from the Centre County Coroner’s Office. Such procedures are standard in ensuring transparency and accountability within the correctional system.
Bobbi Salamon, superintendent of SCI Rockview, has confirmed that Vandenberg’s next of kin have been informed of his passing, in accordance with institutional policy. The administration has emphasized its commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation to provide clarity on the tragic event.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to clarify the circumstances leading to Vandenberg’s death.
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