Stabbed Ark. C.O. Was Checking Inmate for Contraband

The Arkansas prison guard fatally stabbed on Friday was searching a barracks for contraband prior to the attack.

Sgt. Barbara Ester, 47, was investigating a report of an inmate wearing an unauthorized pair of tennis shoes when she was stabbed multiple times at the East Arkansas Unit near Brickeys. Sgt. Ester died later at a Memphis, Tenn., hospital.

The attacker has been identified as inmate Latavious Johnson, 30, a convicted murderer who is serving a sentence of life without parole, reports Arkansas News.