Public Media from Michigan State University

Murderer Of State Trooper Commits Suicide

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An inmate convicted of murdering a Michigan State trooper has committed suicide.

We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta.

20-year-old Eric John Knysz was on life support at a hospital in Jackson since Monday. That’s when a corrections officer discovered Knysz hanging in his cell. He had tied a bedsheet to the ceiling. He was quickly declared brain dead.

Knysz  had arrived at the inmate reception center in Jackson four days earlier. He was not considered a suicide risk. Knysz was convicted of gunning down Trooper Paul Butterfield during a traffic stop last year.

A Corrections Department investigation into the suicide is still underway.

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Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.