Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Though death-row inmate Roberto Arguelles' ingestion of numerous items were contributing factors, his death was from natural causes, the state medical examiner has concluded.
The medical examiner said the inmate had inflammation of the peritoneum, or the membrane lining of the stomach, caused by things he tried to eat.
During his last 18 months, Arguelles reportedly ate plastic, paper and his own feces, according to documents filed in 3rd District Court.
Arguelles, 41, died Nov. 15 at the infirmary of the Utah State Prison.
Arguelles pleaded guilty to the 1992 kidnappings, sexual assaults and murders of Lisa Martinez, Stephanie Blundell, Tuesday Roberts and Margo Bond.
He was scheduled to be executed by firing squad last May but that was put on hold after questions about his competency were raised by prison administrators.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
