A convicted murderer serving a life sentence for slaying seven people including his aunt and uncle is now a suspect in the death of his cellmate in Kern County jail, the California State Corrections Department said.
Juan Villanueva, 53, was found unresponsive Friday at around 9 a.m. in the cell he shared with Ramon Escobar at North Kern State Prison, authorities said.
The inmate passed away shortly later. The medical examiner's office is working to determine a cause of death.
Villanueva's cellmate is now considered a suspect in his death; the 51-year-old was convicted of killing five people, mostly homeless, beating and robbing them.
The Texas native also pleaded guilty to the slayings of his uncle and aunt.
Villanueva was sentenced to life with parole in 2022 and transferred to North Kern State Prison earlier this month.
Escobar was placed in restricted housing as the investigation into Villanueva's death proceeds.
