Investigation after coroner rules New Folsom inmate’s July death a homicide
The death of an inmate in July at California State Prison, Sacramento, near Folsom is now being investigated as a homicide, state corrections officials said Tuesday.
Anthony S. Francis Jr., 23, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 18. Prison staff moved him to a triage unit, where he was later pronounced dead, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.
Sacramento County coroner’s officials ruled Francis’ death a homicide on Sept. 11, citing evidence of foul play. Officials have not disclosed the cause of death or other details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Francis had been incarcerated since June after a Glenn County judge sentenced him to 12 years for voluntary manslaughter with a dangerous weapon enhancement, and battery on a correctional officer.
His cellmate, Chase E. Jenkins, 38, was present when staff discovered Francis. Jenkins has since been placed in restrictive housing as investigators with the department and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office review the case.
Jenkins was received at the facility known as New Folsom in July 2023. He is serving an 11-year sentence for second-degree robbery as a second-strike offender with a prior serious felony conviction.
The state’s Office of the Inspector General has been notified of the case.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM.
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