Death Of Prison Inmate Under Investigation

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has initiated a death investigation following the reported death of an inmate at SCI Houtzdale.  Thirty-six-year-old Merritt Dudas, who was serving a 21- to 43-year sentence for a third-degree murder conviction in Chester County, was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday afternoon.  According to DOC officials, prison staff attempted life-saving measures, but Dudas was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:20 p.m.