Maui Inmate Dies at Arizona Correctional Facility

Jason McCormick (left) and Johnathan Namauleg (right).

By Wendy Osher

A Maui inmate, serving time for arson, has died at a Correctional Center in Arizona.

Johnathan Namauleg, 21, was found unconscious and face down on the floor in a cell at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona on Thursday afternoon, according to information released today by officials with the state Department of Public Safety.

The incident was reported at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, by Namauleg’s cell-mate Jason McCormick, who authorities say activated a distress button in the housing cell, and advised correctional officers that Namauleg was in need of medical attention.

Authorities say responding corrections officers found Namauleg unconscious and immediately notified an emergency response team and medical staff who arrived within minutes to assess Namauleg and begin CPR.

An ambulance arrived at 3:30 p.m. to take over CPR and transport Namauleg to a nearby hospital, according to information released by the state Department of Public Safety.

Namauleg died after transport to the hospital at around 5 p.m. on Thursday, DPS officials said.  An autopsy is pending.

“Eloy Police are investigating the cause of death and are treating the cell in which the death occurred as a crime scene. Department of Public Safety investigators are also being sent to Arizona to investigate the incident,” said DPS officials in a press release.

Jonathan Namauleg, of Maui, was serving three years for third degree arson. Maui Police Lieutenant William Juan confirmed that Namauleg was arrested for second degree arson for the July 26, 2012 fire at the Hawaiian Canoe Hale located at Hoaloha Park in Kahului.

His cellmate, 41-year old Jason McCormick is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for second degree murder.  According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, McCormick was found guilty in the 1996 death of University of Pittsburgh professor Robert T. Henderson.