Ralph Menzies
Ralph Menzies was held on Utah's death row for decades. His attorney, Eric Zuckerman, said he was deeply loved by his family, friends and legal team, and that in his later years he devoted himself to helping others in every way he could. The Utah Supreme Court stopped his scheduled firing squad execution in 2025 over concerns that he was not mentally competent, and his attorneys said his health had declined sharply, including advanced vascular disease and dementia. He died at an area hospital on November 26, 2025, at age 67, and the Utah Department of Corrections said he died of presumed natural causes. Rep. Candice Pierucci later cited his death, attributing it to vascular dementia, while proposing changes to the appeals process.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The Utah Department of Corrections said he died of presumed natural causes, and Rep. Candice Pierucci cited vascular dementia as his cause of death.
Reported by: Utah Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Rep. Candice Pierucci.
News reports (5)
- Press Releases
- Death row inmate Ralph Menzies dies of natural causes
- Utah death row inmate Ralph Menzies dies of natural causes after 37 years in prison
- After a Utah inmate spent 36 years on death row and died of natural causes, a lawmaker wants to speed up the process
- After a Utah inmate spent 36 years on death row and died of natural causes, a lawmaker wants to speed up the process - The Times-Independent