DEATH INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT INMATE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES RELATED TO PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION
The District Attorney’s Office has concluded its investigation into the death of KeJuan R. Cooke at the age of 19 years. Our Criminal Investigation Division had the benefit of assistance from the Coroner’s Office and extensive testing from NMS Labs. Mr. Cooke died at UPMC Harrisburg on March 31, 2021, after being transported from the Dauphin County Prison. At the time of his death, Mr. Cooke was being held in connection with the cases at CP-22-CR-0003152-2019 and MJ-12202-CR-0000158-2020.
Dr. Wayne K. Ross, a board-certified forensic pathologist, performed the autopsy. Dr. Ross determined that the causes of death were complications of bowel inflammation—colitis and short bowel syndrome. Dr. Ross also determined that it was a natural death. Dr. Ross excluded homicide, suicide, and accident as causes of death. The investigation by our detectives, which included witness interviews and review of video footage, found no evidence of criminal conduct in connection with the death.
The District Attorney and Coroner expanded the investigation to determine if illicit drugs smuggled into the Dauphin County Prison could have contributed to Mr. Cooke’s death. A letter addressed to Mr. Cooke, but not yet received, had been laced with an illicit intoxicant called Indole Carboxamide. The laboratory had to develop new testing procedures to identify Indole Carboxamide in blood. The development process took many months and delayed conclusion of the investigation. Ultimately, testing did not identify any controlled substance including Indole Carboxamide in Mr. Cooke’s system at the time of his death. There was no evidence that smuggled drugs caused Mr. Cooke’s death. The investigation and autopsy showed no evidence of any assault. Mr. Cooke had significant health issues prior to his incarceration that resulted in his natural death. The Coroner’s Office contacted his mother and related the conclusions to her before any public release of information and conveyed condolences for her family’s loss.
Fran Chardo, District Attorney
