Homicide

AP Exclusive: California inmate was found dead, cut nearly in two, with organs missing

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this photo taken Wednesday May 20, 2015, a guard tower and razor wire are seen at California State Prison, Solano in Vacaville, Calif. Authorities are investigating the murder of Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez a the prison in May. An autopsy report reveals that Rodriguez' body was cut apart and most of his major body organs removed, prompting an investigation of whether a riot by dozens of prisoners was used to cover up the homicide.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Wednesday May 20, 2015, inmates exercise in the main yard at California State Prison, Solano in Vacaville, Calif. Authorities are investigating the murder of Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez at the prison in May. An autopsy report reveals that Rodriguez' body was cut apart and most of his major body organs removed, prompting an investigation of whether a riot by dozens of prisoners was used to cover up the homicide.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (The Associated Press)

This August 8 2014 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows inmate Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez, who was killed in California State Prison, Solano, in Vacaville, Calif., this past May. An autopsy report reveals that Rodriguez' body was cut apart and most of his major body organs removed, prompting an investigation of whether a riot by dozens of prisoners was used to cover up the homicide.(AP Photo/California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.) (The Associated Press)

An autopsy report has revealed grisly details about an inmate killed behind bars at a medium-security prison in Northern California.

Nearly 15 hours after a riot, his body was found cut nearly in two and most of his major organs had been removed.

The Associated Press obtained the report under a public records request, and the horrific May death raises obvious questions about how such a crime could be committed behind bars and why it took so long to uncover.

Nicholas Rodriguez had been convicted of robbery and was serving an eight-year sentence at California State Prison, Solano, located in Vacaville, 40 miles southwest of Sacramento.

No one has been charged in the 24-year-old's death. Authorities are investigating.