The Alaska Department of Corrections reports the unrelated deaths of two inmates took place recently.
Inmate James Patrick Wheeler, who was 91, was pronounced dead at 6:33 a.m. on July 29. He had been in DOC custody since November 9, 1993. He was a sentenced inmate convicted of first-degree murder with intent to cause death. This death is the sixth in DOC custody this year and next of kin has been notified.
The Department of Corrections adds that this death is COVID-19 related.
Wheeler was in custody at the Goose Creek Correctional Center.
Another inmate was pronounced dead. On August 5, inmate Austin Earl Wilson, who was 34, was pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m. Wilson had been in DOC custody since August 4. He was an unsentenced inmate charged with trespass and disorderly conduct.
This death is the seventh in DOC custody this year and next of kin have been notified. No foul play is suspected, and this death is not COVID-19 related.
The Department of Corrections adds that every prisoner’s death is reviewed by the Alaska State Troopers and the Medical Examiner’s Office. Department records are generally not subject to release because they contain confidential medical, security, and personnel information.
