An investigation is underway after Emil Jones, 57, was found dead in his Mule Creek State Prison cell on Friday night. According to the Sacramento Bee, officials at the prison located in Amador County have initiated a homicide probe following the discovery of Jones' lifeless body by officers conducting security rounds at approximately 10:20 p.m.
Jones was sharing his cell with Jose Lizarraga, 43, who was promptly removed and placed in restrictive housing. Lizarraga is reported to have made "a statement to officers regarding the incident," as highlighted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Efforts to swiftly provide medical aid were unsuccessful, and a doctor pronounced Jones dead by 11:08 p.m. that night. The cause of death will be determined by the Amador County Coroner’s Office, yet it is unclear at this time when the results will be finalized, as reported by Sacramento Bee.
As reported by the KCRA, Jones had been serving a 16-year sentence since October 17, 2023. His sentence originated from San Diego County due to an assault with a firearm. Meanwhile, his cellmate, Lizarraga, had been sentenced from San Joaquin County for carjacking and attempting to evade a peace officer while driving recklessly—a sentence that began on December 23, 2016.
Mule Creek State Prison houses more than 3,800 inmates and is situated in Ione, as per KCRA. As the investigation continues to unfold, officials have yet to release any additional information regarding potential motives or forensic findings in the case. Nevertheless, Lizarraga's statement to officers has become a central thread in the ongoing inquiry, underscoring the gravity of the situation that unfolded within the walls of Mule Creek State Prison.
