In a brutal murder during a prison riot, an inmate was sawed almost completely in half while his internal organs were removed.

Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez was discovered folded up and stuffed into a trash can by California State Prison staff following a riot in May of this year.

The 24-year-old’s organs have still not been discovered after the brutal attack in the medium-security prison.

No one has yet been charged in the murder, but Rodriguez’s 46-year-old cellmate, who is serving a prison sentence for murder, is considered the only suspect.

Rodriguez, who was already dead before his intestines were removed, was killed by multiple blows to the head that resulted in numerous skull fractures.

He and other inmates were locked in their cells after a riot broke out among 58 inmates in his unit.

His body was not discovered until 14 hours later, as his absence was only noticed during a census the following afternoon.

Christine Ward, executive director of the Crime Victims Action Alliance, said she was “stunned” that the murder occurred while guards were keeping a constant eye on the inmates.

She said: “Unfortunately, we know that there are drugs, alcohol and weapons.

“As far as officials can monitor, we know that we have the toughest, worst, most violent criminals in our state prison system and, unfortunately, some of the most cunning prisoners.

“They will find ways to do that.”

Rodriguez’s mother, Maria, said she had not been given precise details about the incident.

She added: “When I saw my son at the funeral, his face looked so bad.

“I called them last week and they say they will tell me in two or three weeks, but right now we have nothing.”

Investigators are investigating whether the riot was deliberately instigated to kill Rodriguez and hide his body.