Delano, CA…Officials at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) are investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide. Inmate Brandon J. Lowrey, 30, was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday, January 24. KVSP staff immediately began lifesaving measures and an ambulance was called. Lowrey succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 9:17 p.m. at an outside hospital. His next-of-kin has been notified.

Lowrey was received by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) on June 4, 2009 from Tulare County to serve a ten- year sentence for second-degree robbery and transporting/importing controlled substance.

Prison officials have named Lowrey’s cellmate, Thrasher L. Holmeyer, 33, as a suspect. Holmeyer was received by CDCR on October 31, 2006, from San Bernardino County to serve a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Holmeyer has been placed in the Administrative Segregation Unit pending the investigation by KVSP, the Kern County Coroner and the Kern County District Attorney. The Office of the Inspector General was notified.

KVSP opened in 2005 and houses 3,932 minimum-, medium-, maximum- and high-security custody inmates. KVSP offers academic classes and vocational programs and employs approximately 1,800 people. For more information, visit www.cdcr.ca.gov.