John Depta
John Depta, 53, was doing well according to his wife, Lisa Depta, who says he was attending counseling, keeping a low profile and in good spirits. He was due to be released on parole, and the couple wanted to build a home together. On January 31, 2018, prison staff at Northern State Prison in Newark found him unresponsive in his cell around 10:30 p.m. and pronounced him dead shortly afterward. The medical examiner's office has not released a cause of death, and Lisa Depta suspects drugs may have played a role. She says she has been unable to get the New Jersey Department of Corrections to explain what happened.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined. His wife, Lisa Depta, suspects drugs played a role, but the medical examiner has not released a cause of death.
Reported by: Lisa Depta (wife) (family or their lawyers).