3 investigated in inmate's death

9/25/2012

The Blade/Dave Zapotosky
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The Ohio Highway Patrol said Monday it is investigating three suspects in an incident in which an inmate from northeast Ohio was allegedly assaulted at the Toledo Correctional Institution, and later died.

The patrol has not released the names or other details about the suspects, who authorities believe are responsible for the death of Brad Hamlin, 24, of Mantua, Ohio. He died of strangulation and his death has been ruled a homicide, according to Dr. Diane Barnett, a Lucas County deputy coroner.

Prison officials referred all comment to the patrol, which has taken over the investigation.

Hamlin also had injuries to his arms and legs from being restrained, Dr. Barnett said.

RELATED: Blade Homicide Database

Hamlin was found in another inmate's cell on Thursday and prison officials believe the incident occurred between 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on that day at the East Central Avenue institution, Dr. Barnett said.

He was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:53 p.m. Friday. Hamlin never regained consciousness, Dr. Barnett said.

Hamlin was admitted to the corrections system in July, 2010, for burglary out of Portage County, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Web site.

In June he was imprisoned again to serve sentences out of Cuyahoga County for burglary, breaking and entering, and theft, according to the Web site. His release date was listed as June, 2016.