Inmate killed Friday morning at the state prison in Skippack by another inmate, authorities say

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed Monday afternoon that Pennsylvania State Police are conducting a homicide investigation into the death of another inmate at SCI Phoenix in Skippack Township on Friday, one day after he was booked into the prison.

Shaun Harden, 45, was found unconscious in his cell, said Joseph Terra, superintendent of the State Correctional Institution in Phoenix.

Harden was serving a prison sentence of 4 to 10 years for aggravated sexual assault of a child based on a conviction in Greene County, Terra said. He arrived at SCI Phoenix on Thursday.

It is the second death at the state prison this year. Dwight Williams, authorities claim, stomped Ashokkumar Guru to death in August.

Prison staff responded immediately and provided life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived. Harden was pronounced dead at 6:29 a.m., authorities said.

In accordance with policy, the Pennsylvania State Police was notified and will investigate. The official cause of death will be determined by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

The deceased’s next of kin have been notified, authorities said.

No information about charges or a suspect had been released as of 3 p.m. Monday.