Arizona medical examiner reveals how killer dad Shawn Ryan Grell died in notoriously violent prison
Share this @internewscast.com

A father, who was serving a life term for the horrific act of setting his 2-year-old daughter on fire 26 years prior, passed away from lung cancer in his cell at a well-known and violent prison in Arizona, as revealed by a recent autopsy.

The deceased, Shawn Ryan Grell, 50, was found by prison officials at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson on April 19. At that time, no specific information regarding his passing was released.

A report from the medical examiner obtained by The Post on Wednesday revealed Grell died of natural causes.

According to Dr. Ryan Bruhns, a medical examiner from the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was identified as metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. He stated, “The manner of death is natural.”

There were no injuries on his body, according to the report.

Grell’s death generated online speculation over whether it was a result of a revenge killing by another inmate, given the horrifying nature of his crime. 

That speculation came as legislators were calling for sweeping reforms at the Arizona Department of Corrections after three inmates were savagely murdered 15 days before in the same prison complex where Grell died. 

The three prisoners were killed on April 4 by Ricky Wassenaar, a notorious convict who is serving 16 life sentences for murder and his role in one of the longest prison hostage situations in American history, according to prison officials.

Two of Wassenaar’s victims were serving life sentences for sex crimes against a minor, the other was in for raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl. 

“Child molesters: I wanted to kill them all. That’s all I can say,” he told the Arizona Mirror in a recent phone call.

The medical examiner put an end to the online theories.

“This 50-year-old male inmate at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Tucson…was discovered unresponsive in his bed in the Rincon Unit,” the report read. “He was pronounced deceased at the scene by an attending physician.”

Grell’s thin body was delivered to the medical examiner in a white body bag. He weighed just 134 pounds and had bad teeth, according to the report.

Grell was serving a life sentence for murdering his daughter over 25 years ago. He picked up Kristen Salem from a Mesa day care on Dec.  2, 1999, and took her to McDonald’s for lunch, according to court records.

He told the tot they were going to see Christmas lights, Tuscon.com reported, but instead he drove to Target to buy a plastic gas can and gasoline, according to court documents. 

He then drove to the desert outside Mesa, laid his sleeping daughter on the ground, doused her in gasoline and lit her on fire, the records said.

Little Kristen woke up and staggered 10 feet while engulfed in flames, before collapsing on the ground.

He later confessed to the killing at a press conference early the next morning.

“I took the gasoline and I poured it on her,” he told investigators during a videotaped interview. “I took the match and threw it on her,” he added with no trace of emotion in his voice.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
AI helps 'Predator Poachers' expose elementary school music teacher accused of 'sexting' teen

AI Assists in Uncovering Elementary Music Teacher’s Alleged Inappropriate Texts with Teen

An oversight organization in Long Island, New York, employed Artificial Intelligence (AI)…
United Airlines flight diverts after windscreen crack

United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Diversion Due to Windscreen Crack

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are currently probing an incident…
FAA says air traffic controller staffing issues cause delays amid shutdown

FAA Blames Air Traffic Delays on Staffing Shortages During Government Shutdown

The ongoing government shutdown, now dragging into its 20th day, has resulted…
dog runs away after battery ignites in flames

Heroic Pup Survives Fire After Lithium-Ion Battery Mishap at Assistant Fire Chief’s Home

A newly released video has captured the unexpected moment when a dog…
'No Kings' agitator vowed to ‘fight ICE’ with firebombs at blue city's protest: report

Anti-ICE Protest in Blue City Escalates as ‘No Kings’ Activist Allegedly Plots Firebomb Attack

In a tense and dramatic turn of events, a man from upstate…
Marcia Carty granted period to improve skills amid complaints

Marcia Carty Given Opportunity to Enhance Skills Following Public Concerns

Marcia Carty’s employment agreement stipulates a 30-day period for her to address…
Pilot Injured in United Airlines 737 MAX Emergency Landing

United Airlines 737 MAX Makes Emergency Landing: Pilot Injured in Mid-Air Incident

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 140 passengers from Denver…
The Government Shutdown Brings an Opportunity to Reimagine FEMA, but Rogue Employees Seek Its Demise

Government Shutdown Sparks Debate: Reimagining FEMA Amidst Internal Sabotage Threats

On the eve of nationwide “No Kings” protests, a group of discontented…
Man who sent 'So I raped you' message sentenced to 2 to 4 years for 2013 campus assault

Man Sentenced to 2-4 Years in Prison for 2013 Campus Assault Following Disturbing Message

In a case that underscores the challenges faced by victims of campus…
Newborn found with umbilical cord attached in Penn Station, police hunt for parents

Abandoned Newborn Discovered in Penn Station: Police Seek Parents

The New York Police Department is actively searching for the parents of…
Federal Court Upholds School Ban on "Let's Go Brandon" Shirts

Federal Court Ruling Supports School’s Ban on Controversial ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Apparel

A federal appellate court has upheld a ban on “Let’s Go Brandon”…
Demolition starts at White House East Wing to make way for Trump's ballroom

Historic Transformation: White House East Wing Undergoes Demolition for Trump’s Grand Ballroom Vision

Trump has announced plans for an expansive 90,000-square-foot ballroom, citing the East…