California State Prison, Sacramento, Officials Investigating Death of Incarcerated Person as a Homicide

FOLSOM - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC) as a homicide.

On Aug. 11, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m., staff were alerted to an unresponsive incarcerated person in their cell. Staff found Walter Badelle unconscious and initiated lifesaving measures and activated 911. Outside medical ambulance staff declared Badelle deceased at 2:51 p.m.

Badelle's cellmate, Jonathan Blackwell, was placed in handcuffs and removed from the cell. Blackwell has been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by SAC Investigative Services Unit and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.

Badelle, 37, was received from Los Angeles County on July 10, 2008. He was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree robbery with enhancements under the Street Gang Act and use of a firearm. While incarcerated, he was sentenced by Los Angeles County on Jan. 7, 2026 to an additional two years and eight months for manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner.

Blackwell, 45, was received from Los Angeles County on May 26, 2010. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder.

SAC opened in 1986 and houses more than 2,200 medium-, maximum- and high-security incarcerated persons. SAC offers academic classes and vocational programs and employs approximately 1,500 people.