Bellefonte, PA - Bradley Booher, acting superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Benner Township, reported that inmate Evan Smith, 39, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 4, 2023. Prison staff and medical personnel immediately responded and provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Inmate Smith was transferred to Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa., where he was pronounced dead at 2:23 AM. 

Smith was serving a 23-to 47-year sentence for third-degree murder from Bucks County. He had been at Benner Township since March 30, 2023. 

In accordance with state policy, Pennsylvania State Police were notified and will conduct and investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Centre County Coroner's Office. 

The deceased's next-of-kin has been notified.

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Corrections Media Contact Details

Ryan Tarkowski

Communications Director
Department of Corrections Media

Maria Bivens

Press Secretary
Department of Corrections Media