pelican
The gist
California officials are investigating a death at Pelican Bay State Prison as a homicide.
Five suspects were placed in restricted housing, and the case now moves to prosecutors.
How it unfolded
- Sep 17, 2026At about 6 p.m., staff at Pelican Bay State Prison responded to a medical emergency and found incarcerated person Rene B. Lopez unresponsive in a housing unit; he was pronounced deceased at 6:53 p.m.
- Sep 18, 2026CDCR announced it was investigating Lopez's death as a homicide, saying surveillance video showed several incarcerated persons involved in an attack; all suspects were placed in restricted housing.
- Sep 19, 2026KSBY reported five inmates were allegedly involved in the deadly assault, all placed in restricted housing pending investigation.