Death of Salinas Valley State Prison inmate being investigated as homicide

June 30, 2025 9:23 PM

Published June 30, 2025 12:54 PM

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) - The death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison on June 27 is being investigated as a homicide.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, cellmates, 36-year-old Steven Miranda and 26-year-old Jose Rodriguez, were being observed by staff after 3:30 p.m., with Rodriguez found to be unresponsive.

Staff then restrained Miranda as Rodriguez was pronounced dead after 5 p.m., with Miranda placed in restricted housing as the SVSP Investigative Services Unit began investigating the incident.

Rodriguez was transferred from Orange County and was serving 15 years for attempted second-degree murder.

Miranda was transferred from Contra Costa County, serving life without parole for first-degree murder.

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Sergio Berrueta

Smiling politely. Digital Content Director originally from Southeast Los Angeles. Former local celebrity of the North Coast as an journalist for Redwood News.