Ronald Ward Jr signed envelope two drawings
Ronald Ward Jr signed envelope two drawings
An inmate convicted for the murder of a Hamilton man in 2000 died at Montana State Prison according to a news release.
Ronald James Ward Jr. was found in his cell in a high security housing unit. He was transported to a local hospital and died.
According to the news release, Ward’s death was “unexpected” and an autopsy will be performed by the state medical examiner.
Ward was serving a life sentence for the murder of Craig Sheldon Petrich of Hamilton in 2000.
DNA evidence later linked Ward, a drifter, to the murder of Kristin Laurite in Arkansas and two California slayings. All four victims died in a four-month span in 2000.
He was also serving sentences for assault on a peace officer, rioting and possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner.
The envelope is handwritten. Both drawings are unsigned.