State investigates Hammondsport man’s death

ROMULUS—The New York State Police are launching an investigation into the death of inmate Thomas J. Blancke, 24, after he was found deceased in his cell Saturday, Dec. 14. Blancke, a native of Hammondsport, was serving a sentence since July at the Five Points Maximum Security Correctional Facility in Seneca County. He was convicted for third degree burglary charges in Steuben County with a maximum sentence of three years. He would have been eligible for parole in January, 2015.
The state police said the investigation into Blancke’s death is continuing. They would not release the cause of death.