Infamous Boston Mob Boss James ‘Whitey’ Bulger Found Dead Shortly After Prison Transfer

Infamous mob boss and former FBI informant James “Whitey” Bulger was found dead shortly after he was transferred to a federal prison in West Virginia on Tuesday, Oct. 30, officials confirmed to Radar Online. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice’ Federal Bureau of Prisons told the outlet that the mobster, 89, was discovered “unresponsive” at 8:20 a.m., and were unable to revive him.

“Life-saving measures were initiated immediately by responding staff,” said the spokesperson. “Mr. Bulger was subsequently pronounced dead by the Preston County Medical Examiner. No staff or other inmates were injured, and at no time was the public in danger.” It is unclear if foul play is suspected in the death, or if the senior fell victim to natural causes.

Bulger was convicted in 2013 for participating in 11 murders, and was sentenced to life in prison after being a fugitive for over 16 years before being caught living with his girlfriend Catherine Greig in Santa Monica, CA. Just hours before his death, he was moved to the high-security penitentiary in Bruceton Mills, WV, officials told NBC News. He was reportedly originally being moved from a Florida prison, but made a stop in Oklahoma City before making it to West Virginia.

Bulger was one of America’s most wanted criminals for decades, and was even portrayed by Johnny Depp in the 2015 movie Black Mass. It is also said that Jack Nicholson’s character Frank Costello in The Departed was loosely based on Bulger, who was also an informant for the FBI before going missing.

In the 1950’s, Whitey did a stint in the notorious brutal Alcatraz prison outside San Francisco, but he still had his complaints about his most recent prison stay. In a prison letter, obtained by Radar Online earlier this month, Bulger claimed prison guards “tortured” him with “sleep deprivation.” Authorities have not determined whether this played a role in his death.