VALDOSTA — A Valdosta State Prison inmate died early Monday morning, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

It marks the second inmate death at the facility in the last month.

A DOC report states special agents with the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Office of Professional Standards are conducting an investigation on the death of Joseph Pagen.

The report states the case is being treated as a homicide.

Agents believe Pagen died as a result of injuries sustained during a fight with another inmate, the report states. The victim was pronounced dead at the prison at 3 a.m. Monday by the Lowndes County coroner.

Pagen was sentenced in 2012, in Baldwin County, for two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of false imprisonment, robbery by force and burglary, according to the report.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256