Ernest Nichols, a 60-year-old former teacher convicted of statutory rape, was found dead in state prison on October 5, 2025, at the Greene Correctional Institution in Maury, North Carolina. Nichols was serving a sentence for his conviction in Mecklenburg County in 2011. His death is now under investigation as a homicide.
What Happened
Nichols was discovered unresponsive on the floor of his dormitory at the Greene Correctional Institution, a minimum-security facility, on the morning of October 5. Prison staff attempted life-saving measures and called EMS, but Nichols was pronounced dead at 7:22 a.m.
Nichols had been serving a sentence for statutory rape, a crime he was convicted of in 2011 after pleading guilty in 2013. His projected release date was September 2027.
Following Nichols’ death, 37-year-old Wilbert Baldwin, another inmate, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with his murder. Baldwin, who had previously been convicted of second-degree murder in Richmond County, was relocated to the state’s highest-security Granville Correctional Institution following the arrest.
Investigation and Lockdown
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is currently investigating the homicide. Greene Correctional Institution has been placed on temporary lockdown as authorities continue to gather information.
Nichols’ death has raised concerns about safety and the security of the state’s correctional facilities, especially regarding the interactions between inmates.
This story may be updated with more details as the investigation continues.
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