Notorious Mob Boss James 'Whitey' Bulger Found Dead In Prison

50:08

October 30, 2018

"Whitey" Bulger’s copy of his own mugshot. The U.S. Marshals are auctioning off a collection of the mobster's personal items to benefit the families of his victims. (Joe Difazio for WBUR) — "Whitey" Bulger’s copy of his own mugshot. In 2016, the U.S. Marshals auctioned off a collection of the mobster's personal items to benefit the families of his victims. (Joe Difazio for WBUR)

Notorious Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger was found dead at a West Virginia prison on Tuesday morning. He was 89.

Bulger had just been moved to the high-security Hazelton prison. A law enforcement source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told WBUR that Bulger was killed in prison. The FBI is investigating his death.

In his time, Bulger was the feared former leader of the Winter Hill gang — and once one of America's most wanted fugitives.

He was charged with 19 murders and convicted in 11 of them.

Guests

David Boeri, WBUR senior correspondent. He tweets @davidboeri.

Steve Davis, brother of Debra Davis, who was strangled to death in 1981. Whitey Bulger was charged with but not convicted of killing her. He tweets @stevedavisblog.

Dick Lehr, former Boston Globe reporter, author of the book "Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil's Deal," and journalism professor at Boston University.

Mike Bello, Boston Globe deputy city editor.

This program aired on October 30, 2018.