An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) inmate died unexpectedly Friday of apparent natural causes at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. As with all unanticipated deaths in state prisons, the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an investigation. At approximately 12:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2016, John Ackroyd, 67, was found unresponsive in his cell, where he was the sole occupant. Medical staff began life-saving efforts to no avail. He was pronounced deceased at 12:23 a.m. No other details are available at this time. Ackroyd entered Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) custody on January 11, 1994 on two counts of aggravated murder and three counts of murder out of Jefferson County. He was sentenced to life in prison.
