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Purdue University Shooter Found Dead In Cell

Last updated on Wednesday, October 29, 2014

(MICHIGAN CITY) - Cody Cousins, the man sentenced to 65 years in prison for killing fellow Purdue University student Andrew Boldt in January, has been found dead in prison.

Defense attorney Kirk Freeman says the prosecutor told him Cousins committed suicide.

The Indiana State Prison Superintendent Ron Neal said Cousins was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine security check Tuesday night. Cousins had self-inflicted lacerations on his neck and arms, Neal said. Prison staff attempted CPR but could not revive him.

An autopsy is being scheduled. The incident is currently under investigation by the facility's Internal Affairs Office and the LaPorte County Coroner's Office.

A judge ruled that Cousins, 24, was not mentally ill when he shot and stabbed Boldt, giving him the maximum sentence for the crime. At his sentencing hearing in September, experts testified that Cousins had history of mental illness and drug abuse, but the judge rejected the argument that he was mentally ill at the time of the crime.

See all stories about Cody Cousins.

The judge called it a crime of hatred and terror, and said Cousins' lack of remorse and also his pride in the crime were factors in deciding on the maximum sentence.

Cousins also told the judge, "I lied to the doctors. I made up all that crap. I killed Andrew Boldt because I wanted to. I'll deal with the consequences later."

He arrived at the Indiana State Prison on October 23, 2014 and was on a unit for new arrivals. His estimated released date was July 22, 2046.

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