California prison officials are investigating the death of a convicted child molester, Robert E. Cole, who was found unresponsive in his cell at Mule Creek State Prison on Friday, April 4.
The 48-year-old was serving a life sentence for the sexual assault of multiple children when he was allegedly killed by his cellmate, Justin P. Welsh, according to initial reports.
Cole was discovered around 6:30 a.m. by prison officers, who immediately initiated life-saving measures and called for medical assistance. However, paramedics pronounced him dead upon arrival at 6:43 a.m. Authorities are now investigating whether Welsh, 36, played a role in Cole’s death.
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Welsh, who has a violent criminal history, including charges of domestic violence and assault with a firearm, was transferred to Mule Creek in 2023 and has been placed in restricted housing pending the investigation.
This latest incident comes at a time when Mule Creek State Prison is already under intense scrutiny after the deaths of two women earlier this year.
Both women were found strangled during separate conjugal visits to their husbands, occurring just months apart. The unusual deaths have raised questions about safety protocols surrounding conjugal visits at the facility, although no direct connection to Cole’s death has been confirmed.
Cole was incarcerated at Mule Creek in 2019 after being sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting several children aged 10 to 18.
Welsh, who arrived at the prison only a year ago, is serving an 18-year sentence for assault and related charges.
The Amador County Coroner has yet to determine the official cause of Cole’s death, and the investigation into the homicide is ongoing.
