John Du Pont, heir to chemical fortune, dies in prison at 72
Chemical-fortune heir John Du Pont, who killed an Olympic gold-medal-winning wrestler at his palatial estate in 1996, has died in a Pennsylvania prison. He was 72.
Du Pont was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday morning at Laurel Highlands state prison near Somerset, Pa., according to state prisons spokeswoman Susan McNaughton. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital.
Du Pont fancied himself a patron to wrestlers and built a world-class training facility at his estate in Newtown Square, outside Philadelphia.
In 1996, he shot and killed wrestler David Schultz and then barricaded himself in his home for two days. He was found guilty but mentally ill and was sentenced to 13 to 30 years in jail.
McNaughton says Du Pont recently had been ill, but she didn't elaborate.
-- Associated Press
Dave Shultz was the greatest wrestler to come from CA. He had local ties to UCLA and was at the top of his game for a long time. In the former Soviet Union (the hot bed for freestyle wrestling) he was treated like a rock star. What a shame that his life was cut short by a psycho like Du Pont. Dave left a wife and 2 kids.
Posted by: djack80 | 12/09/2010 at 12:13 PM
What happens to the dupont cash? I am availble to be the heir apparent..
Posted by: waskoma | 12/09/2010 at 01:03 PM
does this mean he wont be able to spend the money?
Posted by: mark shapiro | 12/09/2010 at 01:05 PM
Had you told John Du Pont in 1995 that he would die in prison in 2010 he probably would not have believed you.
Posted by: boone | 12/09/2010 at 01:52 PM
Du Pont family played a key role in the American revolutionary. We might be serving the British Royals if it wasn't for them. The current situation was sad, but maybe a touch of respect is due.
Posted by: Old Dog | 12/09/2010 at 04:39 PM
Must suck to be rich and know you are gonna die in prison. Like Phil and Bernie.
Posted by: mervyn | 12/09/2010 at 04:55 PM