MADISON, Wis. — A staff member at Wisconsin’s youth prison has been declared brain-dead following a fight with an inmate, the county coroner said Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says 49-year-old youth counselor Corey Proulx at Wisconsin’s youth prison has been declared brain-dead following a fight with an inmate

  • Proulx was injured during a fight Monday night at Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake Schools, the state’s youth prison in Irma in northern Wisconsin
  • Officials arrested 16-year-old inmate Javarius Hurd for the assault of two staff members

  • On Thursday, investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrested a second suspect in connection with the June 24 assault at Lincoln Hills School which resulted in the death of Proulx

Corey Proulx, 49, was declared brain-dead Tuesday so the family can proceed with organ donation, Lincoln County Coroner Valerie Caylor said.

Proulx served as a youth counselor at Lincoln Hills School. 

“Corey was a dedicated and compassionate member of our team, always striving to make a positive impact on the lives of the young individuals we serve," said Lincoln Hills School Superintendent Klint Trevino. "His commitment to our mission was unwavering, and he will be deeply missed by all of us.”

Proulx was injured during a fight Monday night at Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake Schools, the state’s youth prison in Irma in northern Wisconsin. Department of Corrections spokesperson Beth Hardtke said 16-year-old inmate Javarius Hurd assaulted a staff member in a residence hall and then attacked a second staff member.

On Thursday, investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrested a second suspect, Rian Nyblom, in connection with the June 24 assault at Lincoln Hills School, which resulted in the death of Proulx.

Officials Nyblom, 17, was incarcerated in the same unit as Hurd at the time of the assault on Proulx. 

Hurd has been charged with Felony Murder, 2nd degree reckless homicide and two counts of Battery by Prisoners. He is being held in the the Lincoln County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

Nybolm has been charged with Felony Murder and two counts of Battery by Prisoners as Party to a Crime. He is being held at the Lincoln County Jail on a $20,000 cash bond.

The assault is currently under investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office.

Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake is Wisconsin’s only youth prison. The facility has been plagued by allegations of staff-on-inmate abuse, including excessive use of pepper spray, restraints and strip searches. A court-appointed monitor is currently overseeing the facility.

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