An Argentinian national accused of murdering a Crufts dog breeder has died in custody at Strangeways prison in Manchester while awaiting trial, police have revealed. Alex Verdu Munoz, 26, was pronounced dead on May 15 at HMP Manchester, Staffordshire Police said.
He had been charged with murdering Valerie Freer, 68, who died of neck injuries in the village of Whittington, near Lichfield, on February 24. She was found on the driveway of her home by paramedics at around 10.53am.
In 2014, one of her dogs, a Samoyed named Dan The Man, was runner-up in the Best in Show category at Crufts. Munoz also faced charges of aggravated burglary, burglary, possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving.
