© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – HMP Prisons Justice Group
Two prisoners have died at HMP Norwich within the space of just two days, with independent investigations now underway into both deaths.
Newly published information from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) confirms that Keith Gilding, 76, died on 28 July 2026, followed by Christopher Brooks, 40, on 29 July 2026.
Both men were being held at HMP Norwich at the time of their deaths.
The PPO has now opened investigations into the circumstances surrounding each death, with both investigations currently listed as “in progress.”
TWO DEATHS IN TWO DAYS
Keith Gilding was born on 17 June 1950 and died at HMP Norwich on 28 July 2026.
Just one day later, Christopher Brooks, who was born on 1 October 1985, died at the same prison on 29 July 2026.
The PPO published details of both investigations on 13 August 2026.
At this stage, the PPO has not published a cause of death for either man, and it would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The two investigations will seek to establish what happened and whether there are any lessons to be learned from the care and treatment the men received while in custody.
CHRISTOPHER BROOKS WAS AWAITING TRIAL
Christopher Brooks had been remanded in custody awaiting trial after being charged with the murder of his 73-year-old neighbour, Robert Button.
Brooks had not entered a plea and had not been convicted of the allegation before his death.
His death at HMP Norwich on 29 July was previously confirmed by the Prison Service, with the PPO subsequently beginning its independent investigation.
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS UNDERWAY
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman independently investigates deaths of people held in prisons and other forms of custody in England and Wales.
The PPO states that its published fatal-incident data may not necessarily align with official Ministry of Justice statistics.
The deaths of Keith Gilding and Christopher Brooks occurring on consecutive days at the same prison will now be examined separately by investigators.
No final findings have yet been published in relation to either death.
Both investigations remain ongoing.
HMP Prisons Justice Group 