CRESAPTOWN, Md. (AP) — Maryland State police say an inmate has been slain at the Western Correctional Institution, and a suspect is being held.

Troopers say Saleem N. Abdullah, 53, was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday about 8:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at Cumberland Hospital.

Police say the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Friday that the manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was asphyxiation.

A suspect in the slaying, an inmate at the prison, is being held. State police will not identify him because he has not been charged.

Corrections officials say Abdullah was serving a life sentence for sex crimes and kidnapping.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)