COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina death row inmate Louis Michael Winkler Jr. died Friday morning at Kirkland Correctional Institution.
Winkler, 66, was pronounced dead at 8:49 a.m. in Kirkland’s infirmary after an illness; Officials say an autopsy will be performed.
Winkler was convicted of murder, first-degree burglary, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in the death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Grainger Winkler of Loris, S.C.
Winkler was out on bond for kidnapping, rape, and assault charges involving his estranged wife when he kicked in her door and shot her in the face at close range in front of her teenage son in 2006.
Officials say he then hid in a wooded area for two weeks before being captured.
He was tried and sentenced to death for the crimes in 2008.
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