Coroner: Inmate’s death appears to be homicide

The Fremont County coroner says the death of an inmate at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Caon City appears to be a homicide.

Coroner Carlette Brocious said Friday she had no other details and was still gathering information.

The Colorado Department of Corrections said Thursday that 23-year-old Matthew Melina died Wednesday afternoon. The department also didn’t release details but said the department’s Office of Inspector General was investigating.

Melina had been returned to prison Nov. 6 after a parole violation. He previously was sentenced to five years in prison for robbery of an at-risk person in Jefferson County.