State Police Conducting Death Investigation of DOC Inmate

Date Posted: Monday, May 4th, 2026

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The Delaware State Police is conducting a death investigation of a Delaware Department of Correction inmate.

On April 19, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to the Delaware Psychiatric Hospital at 1901 DuPont Highway in New Castle for the report of an assault. The preliminary investigation revealed that 73-year-old Fred O’Neal III, a sentenced inmate, was involved in a physical altercation with a fellow inmate. O’Neal was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries, where he later died.

The victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is actively investigating this case.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center) is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.