Updated
James “Whitey” Bulger, who lived a double life as one of Boston’s most notorious mobsters and as a secret FBI informant before going on the run for 16 years, has been found dead at a US federal prison in West Virginia, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said.
The don, who had operated South Boston’s Winter Hill gang for more than two decades, was known for his short temper and brutality, inspiring Johnny Depp’s role in the 2015 film Black Mass.
Bulger’s death at age 89 came a day after he was transferred to the high-security prison.
Federal officials did not give a cause of death, but the Bureau of Prisons said no other inmates or staff were injured.
CNN and the Boston Globe reported that Bulger was killed, without giving further details.
Henry Brennan, a defence lawyer for Bulger, said in an email to Reuters he could not confirm or deny the reports.
Bulger was convicted in August 2013 of 11 murders, among other charges including racketeering, and sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus five years.
The FBI was looking into Bulger’s death, the Bureau of Prisons said in its statement.
More to come.
Reuters
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, crime, united-states
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