Oregon Inmate Convicted of Murdering His Wife Dies at 77 in State Custody

Edward Lawrence Nelson, who was imprisoned in the Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) for murdering his wife in a domestic violence incident in 2013, died in a hospital yesterday morning, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC).

State Medical Examiner Will Determine the Cause of Death

The DOC announced yesterday that the State Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, and the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Saying that the DOC takes every death in custody seriously, the brief statement by the SRCI confirmed that Nelson, 77 years old at the time of his death, entered the prison on December 17, 2013, from Coos County. No parole date was set.

Nelson Was Found Guilty of Aggravated Murder and Arson

Nelson was charged with aggravated murder and first-degree arson after setting fires in his home on Big Creek Road and a  neighbor’s house, which was destroyed in the blaze.

On arrival at the scene, the police found the body of an adult female who was later identified as Nelson’s wife. A preliminary investigation revealed that homicidal violence was the cause of her death.

Nelson was arrested later the same night while driving in Douglas County.

The SRCI is the largest prison in Oregon, with 3,000 beds, and is located near Ontario. The prison offers inmates various programs to gain job skills and connect with the outside world.