DELANO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 41-year-old inmate was found unresponsive at Kern Valley State Prison on Nov. 9, 2024, and his cellmate is under investigation for an alleged connection to his death, officials said.

Darius J. Swain, 41, of Delano was pronounced dead at 3:48 p.m. at KVSP in Delano, located at 3000 West Cecil Drive, the Kern County Coroner said.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Swain’s cellmate, Gregory Clark, 58, was seen with blood on his clothes at 3:19 p.m.

Clark was placed in restricted housing pending the outcome of an investigation by the KVSP investigative unit.

Swain was picked up from Alameda County on March 18, 2019. He was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for trafficking a minor by force, fear, deception, fraud and violence – a second strike offense; pimp; pandering; second-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Clark was admitted from Los Angeles County on March 29, 2011. He was serving a 22-year sentence for battery on a spouse, a second offense; an enhancement to the use of a deadly weapon; a previous prison sentence; and a prior felony conviction.

On January 25, 2021, Clark was sentenced by a Kern County court to an additional two years for battery on an inmate with a deadly weapon. The Office of the Inspector General was notified.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

Kern Valley State Prison will continue to investigate.