Officials in Maryland investigate suspected murder of 80-year-old inmate

CUMBERLAND, Maryland (AP) — Maryland police are investigating the suspected murder of an 80-year-old man who was incarcerated at the state prison over the weekend, officials said Sunday.

Inmate Ralph Ruark was pronounced dead shortly before 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland, state police said in a news release. Officials did not disclose how Ruark died.

Officials said Ruark was taken to the Baltimore coroner’s office to determine the cause of death, after which the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was called in to lead the ongoing investigation.

Once the results of the investigation are complete, they will be presented to the Allegany County Attorney’s Office, state police said.

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