REGIONAL NEWS: Murderer who killed girlfriend's uncle found dead in prison cell
An inquest has opened into the death of a murderer, who was found dead in a cell at HMP Frankland in December.
Wayne Miller, from Sunderland, was jailed in 2020 for the murder of his girlfriend's uncle Andrew Mather, after a week long trial. He was serving a life sentence in the Durham prison.
The 36-year-old was found "with a yellow substance on his face and chest area", which is believed to be an illegal drug. However, the cause of death is unknown at this stage, described by Dr Louise Mulcahy, who conducted the post-mortem examination at the Newcastle RVI Mortuary, as "unascertained pending histology and toxicology."
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The inquest opened on Monday at Crook Civic Centre, and in a statement, Coroner's Officer Alexis Blighe said: "This 36-year old male was born on 25 January 1988 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
"His last employment status and occupation was unemployed. He resided at HMP Frankland, Brasside, Durham. He died on 14 December, 2024, at Cell 18 (1). J Wing, HMP Frankland, Durham."
Miller's body was identified by prison governor Dan Pinder, reports Chronicle Live.
Miller was found guilty of murder at Newcastle Crown Court and handed a life sentence, after beating and kicking his girlfriend's uncle to death. He even took a trophy picture during the brutal attack, which took place in the victim's own home.
Judge Paul Sloan QC, speaking about the photograph, said "It graphically illustrated the violence you had done to him. Your intention being to post the photograph on the internet but you subsequently deleted it because it was so incriminating."
Proceedings of the inquest have been adjourned pending further investigation.
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