Southeastern Pa. man dies while incarcerated at Rockview state prison in Centre County
A southeastern Pennsylvania man incarcerated at Rockview state prison died Monday, the prison’s top official said in a news release Tuesday.
Gary Vandenberg, 52, was found unresponsive in his cell Monday, Superintendent Bobbi Salamon said in the release. Staff and emergency medical service responded and attempted life-saving measures, she said.
Vandenberg was pronounced dead about 7:10 p.m. Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, the Centre County Coroner’s Office told the Centre Daily Times.
State police at Rockview are investigating, as required by state policy. It was not immediately clear if foul play is suspected. A message left with a spokesman was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.
Vandenberg pleaded guilty in July 2011 to felony counts of aggravated assault and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and a weapons charge.
He was part of a violent Bucks County home invasion in which a man was slashed across the face with a knife, PhillyBurbs reported. Vandenberg was sentenced in September 2011 to 8 1/2 to 20 years in state prison, as well as five years of probation.
He was at Rockview state prison since Nov. 23, 2015, the DOC said in its release.