A tragic incident unfolded in a Pennsylvania prison when Erick Gainer, a 41-year-old father, was beaten to death just hours after starting his 90-day sentence. The horrifying attack occurred in Cumberland County on October 23, with Gainer found severely injured with a swollen brain in his cell. A fellow inmate reported hearing Gainer’s desperate cries for help, indicating a brutal assault had taken place.
Gainer had been sentenced for a DUI offense stemming from a car crash in Silver Spring Township the previous year. Despite reassurances from his girlfriend, Tessa Shorb, that he would be safe in jail, Gainer’s life was tragically cut short by his cellmate, Dangelo Nowlin, 33, from California. Nowlin allegedly threw Gainer to the floor and proceeded to fatally beat him with his bare hands the morning after Gainer arrived at the prison.
Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of punches and Gainer’s pleas for mercy during the violent attack. Gainer, who was sleeping at the time of the assault, was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery but succumbed to his injuries the following day. The motive for the senseless attack remains unclear, leaving Gainer’s loved ones devastated by the loss of a kind and gentle soul.
Lonnie Gainer, Erick’s brother, described the incident as a “cold-blooded murder” that robbed them of a beloved family member. Nowlin, who was already serving time for trespassing and assault, now faces charges of criminal homicide for Gainer’s death. The tragic outcome has left the Gainer family grappling with grief and seeking justice for Erick’s untimely passing.
The shocking turn of events serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can exist even within supposedly safe environments. Gainer’s death has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him, highlighting the devastating impact of violence and loss. As the legal process unfolds, the hope for accountability and closure looms large for those seeking justice for Erick Gainer.
