2 suspected homicides under investigation at Lee Correctional Institute

South Carolina Department of Corrections and partnering agencies are investigating the deaths of two inmates at Lee Correctional Institute who were attacked on two separate days.

Mario Leven Harrison, 37, died at a local hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 2, according to SCDC. He was reportedly assaulted in a common area of his living unit at the prison.

The following day on Wednesday, Dec. 3, Xavier Martez Delesline, 33, also an inmate at Lee CI, died from injuries sustained in an assault in his common area of the unit, SCDC reported. 

Both deaths are being investigated as suspected homicides by the SCDC Inspector General’s office, SLED’s Division Crime Scene unit and Lee County Coroner’s Office.

Autopsies have been scheduled. 

Lee CI is also where the deadliest prison riot in South Carolina that left seven dead occurred in April 2018. 

April 2025 marked seven years since eight hours of fighting that took place at the maximum-security prison in Bishopville left seven inmates dead, 22 injured and more than 40 allegedly responsible for the entire ordeal, according to The Sumter Item archives.