Two inmates die minutes apart in unrelated incidents at SVSP

Two inmates were found dead in two unrelated incidents at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Prisoner Cedric J. Saunders, 22, was found dead in his cell on Saturday at 9.05 a.m. Prison officials have named Saunders’ cellmate, Andy Loni, 45, as a suspect. Loni has been transferred to another section of the SVSP Administrative Segregation Unit while the incident is being investigated.

Authorities say minutes later, another inmate, 61, was found dead in his cell. He was the sole occupant of the cell. The cause of death was not released and his name is being withheld until his family is notified.

SVSP’s Investigative Services Unit is investigating both incidents as unrelated homicides.