An infamous serial killer, Joshua Wade, who confessed to the murders of five individuals in Alaska, passed away in an Indiana prison at the age of 44. The Indiana Department of Correction confirmed that Wade was found unresponsive in his cell on June 14 and despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Wade's criminal history dates back to when he was just 14 years old. He was convicted of various state and federal crimes in 2010 and was serving his sentence at a maximum-security prison in Alaska. In 2014, Wade reached an agreement to be transferred to a federal prison in Indiana after admitting to additional murders.
One of the cases involved the killing of Della Brown in 2000, where Wade was charged with striking her in the head with a rock. Although he was convicted of witness tampering, he was acquitted of murder and sexual assault charges. Subsequently, Wade kidnapped, tortured, and fatally shot nurse practitioner Mindy Schloss in 2007.
Following a plea agreement, Wade received life sentences for both state and federal charges related to the Schloss murder and admitted to killing Brown. He expressed remorse for his actions during sentencing proceedings in 2010.
Wade's violent tendencies resurfaced as he confessed to additional murders, including the killing of John Michael Martin in 1994 and Henry Ongtowasruk in 1999. By cooperating with prosecutors, Wade ensured that he would remain incarcerated, avoiding the death penalty.
Despite facing criticism from the judge for his heinous acts, Wade's anger and lack of remorse were evident during court proceedings. His transfer to the Indiana State Prison from a federal facility was part of a strategic legal maneuver to secure his continued imprisonment.
Wade's death marks the end of a dark chapter in Alaska's history, bringing closure to the families of his victims and ensuring that he will never pose a threat to society again.
