Inmate death at Utah correctional facility being investigated as homicide

Carlos-Adrian Javier Hernandez, 24, was pronounced dead after being assaulted by his cellmate in the Hickory Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Photo Courtesy: UDOC

GUNNISON, Utah, Aug. 26, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The death of an inmate in a Gunnison correctional facility early Friday morning is being investigated as a homicide.

Carlos-Adrian Javier Hernandez, 24, was pronounced dead after being assaulted by his cellmate in the Hickory Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility, according to a prepared statement from spokeswoman Brooke Adams of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Officers heard suspicious noises coming from the cell at approximately 8 p.m., the statement said, and went to investigate. They found Hernandez unconscious on the floor. Officers entered the cell, removed his cellmate and medical staff immediately began tending to Hernandez.

Hernandez was transported to Gunnison Valley Hospital and then taken by helicopter to Utah Valley Hospital in Provo. He was pronounced dead at 12:41 a.m.

Hernandez was serving a 15-to-life sentence for murder and a 5-to-life sentence for rape in the 2007 death of Keely Amber Hall, 15. He was scheduled to have an original hearing before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole in January 2027.

Hernandez was 15 when he was prosecuted as an adult for a murder committed when he was 14, according to multiple news outlets. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, rape and aggravated sexual assault in the Jan. 10, 2007 strangulation death of Hall, also 15, in St. George. Detectives said he met Hall the same day she was killed.

Julio Garza
The suspect in the homicide is Julio Cesar Garza 25 who is serving time for aggravated robbery possession of a prohibited item in a correctional facility and assault by a prisoner Photo Courtesy UDOC

The suspect in the homicide is Julio Cesar Garza, 25, who is serving time for aggravated robbery, possession of a prohibited item in a correctional facility and assault by a prisoner.

The Utah Department of Correction’s Law Enforcement Bureau and Gunnison City Police Department are handling the investigation.

Hernandez’ cause of death has yet to be determined.

The Department has been unable to locate Hernandez’ next-of-kin and has contacted the Mexican Consulate for assistance. Anyone with that information is asked to contact Doug Fawson from UDOC at 801-545-5658.

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