Longtime Inmate At Somers Prison Dies of Coronavirus Effects

SOMERS, CT — A man who served 50 years in prison following a 1970 murder conviction has become the third Connecticut inmate to die due to complications related to the new coronavirus, according to a statement Wednesday from the Department of Correction (DOC).

The 74-year-old inmate, whose name has not been released, had preexisting underlying medical conditions and had been receiving medical attention at the UConn Health Center in Farmington since April 19. He died Tuesday evening, the DOC reported.

The man was last housed at the Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers. He entered the correctional system on April 17, 1970, and was serving a life sentence for murder, the DOC reported.

"Any life lost to this terrible disease is a tragedy,"DOC Commissioner Rollin Cook said. "I vow to keep working to do whatever possible to continue to limit the spread of the coronavirus until this health crisis passes. My condolences go out to the deceased individual’s family."