Convicted molester found slain in Corcoran prison cell; cellmate serving 259 years is suspect

AP — Investigators at California State Prison-Corcoran are investigating as a homicide the death of an inmate who was a convicted child molester.

On Thursday corrections officials found the 63-year-old unresponsive in his cell. They have not released his name.

He was serving a six-year sentence out of Los Angeles County for lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14, among other crimes.

The inmate's cellmate, 48-year-old Allen Duane Queen, is the suspect. Queen is serving 259 years for convictions in San Joaquin County including attempted murder of a government officer, possession of a weapon by a prisoner, assault with a deadly weapon of a custody officer and making terrorist threats.

Prison investigators are being assisted by the Kings County District Attorney's Office.

Corcoran houses 4,395 inmates.