The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating the death of prisoner Trevor Brazier at HMP Cookham Wood.
Trevor Brazier, formerly of Northdown Avenue, Margate, died on June 17, aged 55.
In 2019 Brazier was jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years for the brutal strangulation of his homeless friend Kevin Tridgell, who had been sleeping in Brazier’s flat.
Brazier called Kent Police at around 6am on June 2, 2018 and said he had strangled Kevin Tridgell.
When officers attended Brazier’s flat they found Mr Tridgell unresponsive and without a pulse so started CPR until paramedics arrived.
Mr Tridgell was taken to hospital but due to injuries from strangulation, he did not recover and died the following day.
An investigation into the death of the 38-year-old was launched by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and found Brazier had repeatedly called the emergency services, complaining he wanted Mr Tridgell removed from his flat after he became annoyed that he had fallen asleep.
Brazier then made a third and final call to the emergency services, this time to report to police that he had killed Mr Tridgell.
He claimed he had strangled his friend in self-defence after the victim had tried to attack him with a knife.
But following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court, his claims of self-defence were not accepted by the jury, and Brazier was found guilty of murder.
Brazier was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years and 213 days before being considered for release
The Ombudsman is now investigating his death in prison. The prison was repurposed as an adult prison last year.
