CRESAPTOWN — The death of a North Branch Correctional Institution inmate Monday is under investigation by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit.
Omar Enrique Valdez-Granados, 23, was found on the floor of his cell and pronounced dead by EMS personnel, according to a state police release.
Police believe Valdez-Granados’ cellmate was in the cell at the time of his death, according to the release.
The homicide is the third at the maximum-security prison this year, according to data published by Capital News Service. The facility reported five homicides in 2025, the most at a single Maryland facility in one year.
EMS personnel from Cresaptown, LaVale and Allegany County Department of Emergency Services responded to the prison located at 14100 McMullen Highway just before 8:15 a.m. Monday, according to an Allegany County Joint Communications Center spokesperson.
Valdez-Granados was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, according to state police.
Investigators are continuing the investigation with assistance from state police crime scene technicians and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit.
Investigation results will be presented to the Office of the State’s Attorney in Allegany County.
No charges have been filed.