NJ prison inmate was beaten to death in his cell. Officers hadn’t checked on him in 2 days

A shocking inmate-on-inmate murder at a New Jersey prison is raising serious questions about supervision at the facility.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and state Department of Corrections have launched an investigation into what happened at Northern State Prison. Not only did the murder take place inside a prison cell that was on lockdown, but documents obtained by NBC New York correction officers never opened the cell for two days as a man was beaten to death.

A Bronx family has been left overwhelmed with emotions of anguish and anger after learning that their loved one, 28-year-old Melvin Rivas Inoa, died at the Newark prison. He was supposed to be released within weeks after serving two and a half years on a gun charge.

“I have no life,” Inoa’s mother, who was stunned to get the call of her son’s death in late January, said in Spanish.

“We thought he was protected and come to find out he wasn’t,” said his sister, Leslie Rivas Inoa. “He would tell my mom, ‘Mommy I am coming home soon.'”

In an exclusive interview with News 4, Inoa’s family said they learned he had been murdered in his cell. He was on lockdown in a restricted disciplinary housing unit. His family says he sent them a text and feared for his life.

“He said he was scared by getting set up by the CO’s, that they wouldn’t give him food,” his sister said.

Prosecutors charged Melvin’s cellmate, Abdul Bryant, with murder. He has pleaded not guilty. The criminal complaint states that “the victim sustained severe blunt force trauma to the body, face and head.” The beating was so severe, the family says they were not shown the full photos. 

“I can’t believe someone could do so much damage,” said Leslie Rivas Inoa.

The complaint also raised further disturbing questions. It says Inoa “was last observed alive on 1/20 at approximately 7 p.m.” Investigators interviewed a witness in a neighboring cell who said through the next day “He heard loud banging and kicking noises coming from cell 323. The witness further stated that he heard the victim asking for help.”

Inoa family attorney Brooke Barnett said she has spoken to another witness.

“They heard my client Melvin screaming for help — asking to save him from death,” said Barnett.

The witness who was referenced in the complaint “stated that he heard flushing and the sink being used throughout the night” and that Bryant told the witness “he assaulted the victim and subsequently ‘washed him up’ to appear he wasn’t injured.”

The report notes that surveillance video shows the cell wasn’t opened by officers until the morning of Jan. 22, when Inoa’s body was discovered.

“The officers in this case should absolutely be charged,” Barnett said. “They should be put in the same cell as my client was put in and died in.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections told NBC New York that staff members “are required to conduct formal counts and security checks throughout every shift,” and that those required checks “include regular verification of individuals in each cell to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Peter Jaskulski, an expert in prison practices and training, said there is blame to be had.

“Somebody completely dropped the ball. There needs to be a top to bottom review from the top down,” said Jaskulski.

Melvin’s family is still in mourning, still unable to process the horror. His father said he is “destroyed” over the loss of his only son.

“I am finished,” the grieving father said in Spanish.

When asked if any officers had yet been disciplined in connection with the incident, the Department of Corrections only said they are cooperating fully with the prosecutor’s office, and that every allegation of staff misconduct is documented and rigorously investigated.