Inmate at Kenai jail found dead after apparent suicide, officials say

The death of a 23-year-old inmate in Kenai is being investigated as a suicide, authorities say.

Noah Price, of Soldotna, was pronounced dead at Wildwood Correctional Center just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Alaska Department of Corrections.

Price was found unresponsive in his cell during a route check at about 8:30 p.m., the department said. Officers and medical staff began performing lifesaving measures.

Troopers and the Nikiski Fire Department responded to a report of an unconscious inmate who wasn’t breathing at about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, troopers said.

No foul play is suspected, they said. An autopsy will be performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Price is the second inmate to die in a Department of Corrections facility this year.

Jason Pritchard, 51, died in March after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. Pritchard was convicted of attempted murder in a 2001 knife attack on children at an Anchorage elementary school.

At least four people have died since May in Alaska village jails.

Every prisoner death is reviewed by the Alaska State Troopers and the Medical Examiner’s Office, corrections officials say. Department records are generally not subject to release because they contain confidential medical, security and personnel information.

Price was jailed on May 5 on vehicle theft, theft, and criminal trespass charges, according to DOC spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher. He was sentenced to serve 90 days for trespass, 10 days for three other charges, and 5 days for a theft conviction. Another theft charge was filed earlier this month.