Boston gangster found dead in jail
James "Whitey" Bulger, who lived a double life as one of Boston's most notorious mobsters has been killed at a federal prison in West Virginia.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into Bulger's death and a prison employee briefed on the matter said it was being investigated as a homicide. A U.S. Bureau of Prisons statement had earlier confirmed Bulger had died and said the FBI was investigating.
Bulger, who was 89, had been transferred a day earlier to the high-security prison in a wheelchair, the prison employee said.
Two men were seen on surveillance footage entering his cell, the prison employee said.
Bulger's body was discovered wrapped in a sheet, the employee said, and the notorious gangster had been beaten so badly that blood had come out of his ears.
Federal officials did not give a cause of death, but the Bureau of Prisons said no other inmates or staff were injured.
The prisons bureau had said in its statment that Bulger's body was found on Tuesday. The prison employee said it was discovered when he did not appear for breakfast, indicating he was killed early morning or overnight.
Henry Brennan, a defense lawyer for Bulger, said in an email he could not confirm or deny the reports.
Bulger was convicted in August 2013 of 11 murders, among other charges and sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus five years.
Published: by Radio NewsHub