State coroners and medical examiners are investigating the death of Robert Fisher at Elmira Correctional Facility. 

Fisher had just begun serving a prison sentence of 20 years to life after being convicted of raping and killing 3-year-old Josefina Cunningham in July of 2023.

“We didn’t not expect it. It’s a horrific crime. Everyone knows what he did. We didn’t expect him to have a smooth time in prison,” said Rensselaer Police Chief Warren Famiglietti.

Fisher was pronounced dead at around 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Fisher was 34.

Chief Famiglietti said it’s difficult for everyone involved because of the trauma this horrific death has brought upon the family and the investigators who worked on this case.

Detective Sgt. Michael Deno said he was one of the first handful of officers that responded the day Josefina died.

He spoke to Josefina’s father shortly after learning Fisher died in prison.

“It was tough because there’s nothing that will bring his daughter back,” Deno said. “Although he’s no longer paying for this person to be in prison, to pay for his meals and lodging, it’s not going to bring his daughter back. He’s still without his daughter. It’s still bringing it up over and over again.”

The cause of death has not been released. It will be determined and released by the Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to DOCCS. County law leaves it to coroners and medical examiners to determine if the results will be released and to whom.