DOCCS responds to NewsChannel 13’s Freedom of Information request on child murderer who died in prison

NewsChannel 13 has an update to the investigation into the cause of death for convicted child rapist and murderer Robert Fisher.

Fisher died on Oct. 23 – about one month after he entered Elmira Correctional Facility to serve a sentence of 20 years to life for killing 3-year-old Rensselaer girl Josefina Cunnigham.

His cause of death has not been released – despite repeated efforts to obtain answers. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision on April 2 replied to our Freedom of Information Law request seeking any and all correspondence between DOCCS and the Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office, which is responsible for determining the cause.

DOCCS told NewsChannel 13:

“We are sorry for the delay; however, we are still in the process of searching for records that may be responsive to your request in accordance with the New York State Freedom of Information Law. We expect to be responding to your request by 5/16/2025.”
NewsChannel 13 will stay on top of this story.