Donald Lashley
Donald Lashley died on April 4, 2025, while held at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, one of three men killed in the same incident on the prison yard. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry described the deaths as the result of an altercation and classified them as homicides, and a preliminary report identified one fellow prisoner as the sole suspect. Prosecutors in Pinal County said another prisoner, Ricky Wassenaar, confessed and that they would seek the death penalty, and Wassenaar has pleaded not guilty. The Inspector General's criminal investigation was opened, and the medical examiner's review was ongoing.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. State corrections officials say another prisoner killed Lashley in an attack on the prison yard, and the Pinal County Attorney's office attributes the killing to that prisoner, Ricky Wassenaar, who has confessed.
Reported by: Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (the agency that held him); Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller; Ricky Wassenaar (confession); Arizona Mirror (reporters).
News reports (10)
- Altercation results in three dead at Tucson prison complex
- Trial date set for murder trial of inmate accused of killing three fellow prisoners
- 3 dead after ‘altercation’ in Arizona State Prison
- 3 inmates killed in fight Az State Prison in Tucson; Suspect already serving life for 2004 prison standoff
- Investigation into Tucson prisoner’s deaths ongoing
- He confessed to killing 3 other inmates months ago. The DOC just referred charges for the slayings.
- He confessed to killing 3 other Tucson inmates months ago. The DOC just referred charges for the slayings.
- Pinal County seeking death penalty against Ricky Wassenaar
- Death penalty sought against confessed Tucson prison inmate killer
- Inmate accused of killing 3 other prisoners, including child sex offenders, to face trial