Oahu prison employee found dead in dining hall bathroom

HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Public Safety says a staff cook supervisor at an Oahu prison was found dead in a dining hall bathroom.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday that Halawa Medium Security Facility officials did not provide a cause of death or say whether foul play is suspected.

They say the death is under investigation and a coroner will make a final determination.

Public Safety says the employee was found unconscious in a staff bathroom. The prison’s medical staff responded and confirmed the man had died.

Officials say the bathroom is for staff use only.

The death comes two weeks after a controversial Senate confirmation of Nolan Espinda to continue to head the Department of Public Safety, which has come under fire amid numerous internal and external investigations.