Escape Rapist Commits Suicide

10-30-2007 Idaho:

BOISE - A convicted rapist who escaped from police custody last night committed suicide in emergency room restroom at St. Alphonsus this morning.

The Ada County coroner's report indicates William Dean Blakeslee, 25, of Boise, died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Blakeslee pleaded guilty to raping a woman he knew last November. He was found guilty and given a 10-year sentence.

A judge later ordered him to attend off-site sex offender treatment. Blakeslee was on the furlough Monday night for treatment when he did not return to the Ada County Jail.

A warrant of $1 million had been issued for Blakeslee’s arrest.

The entrance to St. Alphonsus was temporarily closed this morning, as police responded to reports of a gunshot being fired.

The hospital spokesman says a man killed himself in the bathroom of the emergency department lobby.

No one else was in the bathroom at the time. A security guard found the man and called 911.

Boise police quickly determined no crime was committed and deemed this a suicide. ..more.. by KTVB.com