Death of prisoner in arson case ruled suicide

Prisoner's death ruled a suicide

BELLEFONTE - The death of a serial arsonist found unresponsive in his cell Monday has been ruled a suicide, according to Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers.

Stephen Giacobbe, 49, was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He died as a result of asphyxiation due to hanging, Mr. Sayers said.

Mr. Giacobbe was serving a 21-to-50-year sentence in the State Correctional Institution at Rockview after he pleaded guilty to setting a series of fires in Wayne and Lackawanna counties.