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WINDSOR – Offender Rashaun Mason (#1054504) died today (Thursday, March 11) at Bertie Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in a housing area at 1:20 p.m.

Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the offender, according to information sent in a press release from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Mason was pronounced dead at 1:38 p.m. at the facility.

DPS officials and the Windsor Police Department are conducting investigations.

Mason, 33, was convicted of second-degree murder in Durham County on May 4, 2011, and was serving an 18-year, 9-month prison sentence. His projected release date had been May 5, 2026.