Man dies in custody at Mt Eden prison, police and coroner alerted

A man died this afternoon at Mt Eden Corrections Facility, prompting a coroner's investigation. Photo / Google

A man has died in custody at an Auckland prison.

This afternoon, staff at Mt Eden Corrections Facility “made every effort” to revive a man in their custody.

His next of kin have been notified.

The prison’s general manager, Dion Paki, said the man had not been in a double-bunked cell at the time of his death.

The incident will be investigated by the coroner, who will determine the man’s cause of death, and police have also been notified.

Referral to the coroner is standard practice for deaths in custody, Paki said.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and those who were close to him during this difficult time.

“Other men and staff are being provided with support, including access to chaplains and cultural support where requested.”

The Corrections Inspectorate will also carry out an independent investigation.

Last month, Corrections custodial services commissioner Leigh Marsh said staff found to be negligent would be “held to account” after the death in custody of Rob Fitzpatrick.

The Whangārei man was allegedly beaten to death by his cellmate on June 27 last year.

“There are currently no employment investigations underway. However, this could be subject to change pending any further information we receive from the ongoing reviews and subsequent coronial inquests.”

His family have requested further information on the risk assessments that determined he would be kept in a shared cell, but Marsh said investigations needed to conclude before that was released.

“We are not denying the family answers. We have agreed and promised that we will share those as soon as we are able to.”

Fitpatrick’s death is one of a series of suspected homicides in double bunk cells at Mount Eden Corrections Facility.

Andrew Chan Chui was killed by his cellmate in September 2024, while Johnathan Peter Trubuhovich died in hospital at the end of last year after being critically assaulted.