Crime & Courts

30-year-old Alaska prison inmate with ‘medical symptoms’ dies in hospital

A 30-year-old inmate at the Spring Creek prison in Seward died in an Anchorage hospital Saturday afternoon, according to the Alaska Department of Corrections.

Romeo K. Iyapana "began demonstrating concerning medical symptoms" in Spring Creek's segregation unit at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, corrections spokeswoman Megan Edge said.

Iyapana was moved to Spring Creek's medical unit, then taken to Seward Providence Medical Center at 10:35 a.m., Edge said. He was moved to Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage and died at 3:36 p.m.

Iyapana's autopsy was still pending Monday, Edge said.

Iyapana had been in custody since Sept. 12, 2007, after being convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault and other charges. His release date was May 2029.

"Because Iyapana's death is under investigation, DOC will not be able to immediately provide additional details," Edge said.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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