Death of 2nd Menard inmate under investigation

CHESTER, Ill. — Authorities in southern Illinois’ Randolph County are investigating the second suspicious death of an inmate at the maximum-security Menard Correctional Center in two months.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that 64-year-old Yusuf Abuzir was serving a life sentence in connection with a 2008 killing in Cook County when he died Monday in the Chester prison’s inpatient health-care unit.

Randolph County Coroner Randy Dudenbostel says Abuzir’s death is under investigation as suspicious. Results of an autopsy Tuesday weren’t released.

Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says Abuzir’s death is being investigated.

Authorities also are investigating the death last month of Menard inmate Jason Hall, whose body was found in his cell.