HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections say a 36-year-old inmate has died after being found unresponsive in his cell at SCI Smithfield.
Authorities say prison staff was alerted last Friday after Derek Bowser, of DuBois, was found at the Huntingdon County facility.
Despite live-saving attempts, investigators say Bowser was taken to Penn Highlands Hospital where he later died.
Officials note that Bowser had been serving a seven month to two-year sentence after being convicted of reckless endangerment in Clearfield County court.
According to the DOC, Bowser had been housed at SCI Smithfield since Dec. 18th, 2025.
State police and the Huntingdon County coroner’s office is investigating Bowser’s death.