Pennsylvania man dies while incarcerated at a state prison in Centre County
A northeast Pennsylvania man incarcerated at Benner Township state prison died Friday, the prison’s top official said in a press release.
Ryan J. Paige, 36, of Pike County, was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday, Superintendent Bradley M. Booher said.
Emergency personnel were notified and life-saving measures were administered until emergency medical services arrived, the state Department of Corrections said. Paige was then transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center, where he died Friday.
State police at Rockview are investigating, as required by state policy. It was not clear if foul play is suspected. A message left Friday afternoon with a police spokesman was not immediately returned.
Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers told the Centre Daily Times that an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Paige pleaded guilty in April 2022 to third-degree murder, attempted murder and lesser charges in the fatal shooting of his father, according to a court docket and reporting from The Scranton Times-Tribune.
A prosecutor called the 2020 shooting a “senseless end to a long-simmering family dispute,” the newspaper reported. Paige was accused of firing multiple rounds from a rifle into Ronald Paige’s home while he three others were inside.
One of the bullets fatally struck Ronald Paige. The newspaper reported Ryan Paige later admitted to the shooting.
He was sentenced to 28 years, 7 months to 62 years in state prison. He had been incarcerated at Benner state prison since Oct. 31, 2024.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 4:26 PM.