VA Department of Corrections confirms inmate death last year as being investigated as homicide

The Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed to WCYB Thursday that an inmate’s death in June 2025 at the Wallens Ridge Correctional Facility in Big Stone Gap is considered a homicide and a correctional officer was reprimanded in connection with the incident. The state medical examiner’s office said that Aubrey McKay died by multifactorial asphyxia on June 4, 2025, and is considered a homicide. Virginia State Police is investigating the death and declined to provide any more information since the investigation is active.