Olin "Pete" Coones Jr.
Olin "Pete" Coones Jr. was 64 and lived in Kansas, where his wife Deirdre stood by him through more than 12 years in prison. He told her, "Something special. You kept me going." A court threw out his case and he was released, and he died on February 21, 2021, 108 days later. His attorneys with the Midwest Innocence Project and Morgan Pilate say he died of health conditions that went undiagnosed and untreated while he was in prison. The attorneys said they took some comfort that he died a free man.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). His attorneys with the Midwest Innocence Project and Morgan Pilate say health conditions went undiagnosed and untreated during his time in prison, which they argue led to his death after release.
Reported by: Midwest Innocence Project and Morgan Pilate attorneys (family or their lawyers).