New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2023

Contact:
Michael S. Garrity, Director of Communications
michael.s.garrity@doj.nh.gov | (603) 931-9375

Jeffery A. Strelzin, Associate Attorney General
Jeffery.A.Strelzin@doj.nh.gov | (603) 271-3671

Death at the Secure Psychiatric Unit in Concord, New Hampshire

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and State Police Colonel Nathan A. Noyes announces that an investigation is ongoing into the death of Jason Rothe (age 50).

On April 29, 2023, Mr. Rothe was a resident at the Secure Psychiatric Unit (SPU) in Concord. The SPU is housed on the State Prison campus but is a separate institution that is overseen by a Medical Director.

At approximately 12:55 p.m., Mr. Rothe was involved in a physical altercation with several corrections officers in the SPU. After that altercation, corrections officers noticed that Mr. Rothe was not responsive and attempted CPR. Despite those efforts, Mr. Rothe was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy of Mr. Rothe on April 30, 2023. The cause and manner of Mr. Rothe's death are inconclusive and are pending further investigation.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658