CRESAPTOWN, Md. (AP) — Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an inmate at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Cresaptown as an apparent homicide.

Charles Richardson, 28, was found dead in his cell about 5 a.m. Thursday. Correctional officers saw an inmate outside his cell on a tier in possession of clothing that appeared to be bloodstained.

Officials went into the inmate’s cell and found Richardson lying under a blanket. He had sustained trauma to his head.

Troopers said an autopsy was set to be performed Friday.

Richardson was serving a sentence of life without parole for first-degree murder.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)