MALONE — State troopers were called to Upstate Correctional Facility Thursday night regarding the suspicious death of an incarcerated individual.

According to a state police press release, a preliminary investigation at the state prison on Bare Hill Road in Malone found that around 8 p.m., correction officers were conducting their rounds when they discovered blood in a cell and an incarcerated man lying on the floor, and the officer recognized the individual Antawon R. Johnson, 35, who was unconscious and not breathing.

The correction officer began life-saving measures and contacted medical personnel for assistance, according to state police, and a subsequent investigation revealed that Arkies Sommerville, 28, and Johnson were cellmates when a physical altercation took place, and during this incident, Johnson was found with a bed sheet and a shoelace around his neck, leading to him becoming unconscious.

Johnson was transported to the infirmary, where he received medical care, but succumbed to his injuries, according to the release, and the Franklin County Coroner arrived at the prison and pronounced Johnson deceased.

On Saturday morning, at 8 a.m., an autopsy was performed at Glen Falls Hospital by Forensic Pathologist Doctor Michael Sikirica, according to the release, and the autopsy determined the cause of Johnson’s death was asphyxiation due to strangulation and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, and the state’s Attorney General’s Office assisted state troopers.

The investigation into Johnson’s death remains ongoing.