DANVERS, Mass. — Benjamin LaGuer, convicted in the 1983 rape of a Leominster woman, died in the Department of Corrections custody on Tuesday night, according to multiple sources.
BREAKING: CONVICTED RAPIST BEN LAGUER IS DEAD.
— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) November 4, 2020
Sources and victim's family confirm LaGuer died Tuesday night in custody. Earlier this year, LaGuer was granted medical parole for terminal illness, but violated terms and was sent back. @boston25 https://t.co/10NfzBtoRa
LaGuer was sentenced to life in prison but was released on medical parole in February 2020 because of a terminal cancer diagnosis. A short time after his release, he was found to have violated the terms of his medical parole and was sent back to prison.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed that LaGuer died at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit in Jamaica Plain around 2:45 Wednesday morning of end-stage liver disease.
2.Ben LaGuer was convicted and sentenced to life for the 1983 rape of a Leominster woman. He claimed he was innocent. DNA showed otherwise. Among his prominent supporters, fmr MA Gov Deval Patrick. LaGuer died Tuesday night in DOC custody. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/o1oAGmC9Rv
— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) November 4, 2020
He long proclaimed his innocence and his case attracted many prominent figures, including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick who contributed to LaGuer’s defense fund.
That defense fund helped pay for a DNA test which confirmed LaGuer’s involvement in the crime.
Robert Barry, the son-in-law of LaGuer’s victim, told Boston 25: "This is bittersweet. I don’t want to celebrate a death. However, we feel it’s an end to a terrible, horrific, crime and there is now a chance for closure for us all.”
3. Ben LaGuer was released on Medical Parole in January, lawyer claimed LaGuer was diagnosed w/liver cancer. LaGuer violated terms of parole and soon sent back to prison.Victim's son in law told me of LaGuer's death: "We feel it's an end to a terrible, horrific crime." @boston25 pic.twitter.com/rVKVttYEW9
— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) November 4, 2020
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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