Nebraska’s Department of Correctional Services officials say a 92 year old inmate died Monday at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Lawrence Ortiz began his sentence on Feb. 13, 1971. Ortiz was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in Buffalo County.
Corrections officials say Ortiz also received 10 to 15 years for assault by a confined person in Lancaster County and six to 10 years for an escape out of Douglas County.
The cause of death has not yet been determined but NDCS officials say Ortiz was being treated for long-term medical conditions. A grand jury will conduct an investigation as they always do when an inmate dies in the custody of the NDCS.