34-Year-Old Escaped Inmate Found Dead in Philadelphia Warehouse

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Gino Hagenkotter, the 34-year-old man who managed to escape from the Riverside Correctional Facility at the end of November, was tragically discovered deceased inside a warehouse in Philadelphia on Monday, according to local authorities.

Hagenkotter had escaped while working a detail assignment in the orchard behind the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Facility (PICC) on November 30.

Police responded to a call reporting an unresponsive man in a warehouse located on the 1100 block of E. Venango Street in Philadelphia’s Kensington section. The man was later identified as Hagenkotter through fingerprint analysis. Medics from the Philadelphia Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene. Notably, the escaped inmate did not have any identification on his person.

Authorities suspect that Hagenkotter broke into the warehouse, as they found evidence of a broken air vent, a displaced fan, and a nearby ladder.

The cause of Hagenkotter’s death is currently under investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department and Medical Examiner’s Office.

How Did Hagenkotter Manage to Escape?

According to Blanche Carney, the Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, on the day of the escape, Hagenkotter requested permission to use the bathroom while he was working in the orchard behind PICC. After noticing his prolonged absence, surveillance footage revealed that Hagenkotter had climbed over a fence in the sanitation yard and fled down Torresdale Avenue.

Reasons for Hagenkotter’s Incarceration

Hagenkotter had been serving time for theft and burglary charges. He was participating in a good behavior program and was set to be released into a transitional program on the day he escaped. Authorities believe that Hagenkotter was motivated to flee after discovering that he would not be released until April due to an unresolved matter in Bucks County.

Other Recent Prison Escapes in Pennsylvania

Hagenkotter’s escape marks the latest incident that the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement have had to address in 2023. It is the third escape from the prison campus on State Road in Northeast Philly.

In May, Ameen Hurst and Nasir Grant escaped from PICC, leading to a 10-day manhunt. The incident resulted in multiple individuals being charged for their involvement in the escape.

In September, convicted murderer Danelo Cavelcante sparked a 14-day manhunt in Chester County.

Currently, U.S. Marshals are searching for escaped inmate Isaiah Tilghman, who has connections to the Philadelphia area. Tilghman escaped from the Blair County Prison in western Pennsylvania in December.

In Warren County, Michael Burham was captured over a week after making his escape during the summer.