Posted on: Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Two inmates die in cells at Halawa

Advertiser Staff

Two inmates at the Halawa Correctional Facility died over the weekend.

Kennard Montez, 39, died Saturday morning, said warden Nolan Espinda.

Montez was found in his cell around 4 a.m. that day having difficulty breathing. He was pronounced dead at Pali Momi Medical Center at 5:18 a.m.

Officials have ruled out foul play, but are awaiting results from the city medical examiner's office. Montez had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Ronald Gerard, 47, was found hanging in his room at 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Prison officials say Gerard used his bedsheets to hang himself. He was dead at the scene, Espinda said.

Authorities have ruled out foul play. Officials have notified the families of both men.