Notorious South Boston mobster James Joseph “Whitey” Bulger, Jr., 89, was unresponsive on October 30 when he was discovered by prison officials. Not even life-saving measures could save him. He died in United States Penitentiary, Hazelton, which is a high-security prison located in West Virginia.

He was pronounced dead by a medical examiner at approximately 8:20 AM. Law enforcement reportedly told CBS News that Bulger was beaten to death by at least one inmate, if not more.

Transferred to WV prison one day before death

The notorious mob boss was transferred to the federal prison from Oklahoma only one day before he died. The FBI is investigating Bulger’s death. According to WPRI (Providence, Rhode Island), the Boston Globe, and additional media agencies, authorities consider Bulger’s death a possible homicide. Precise details remain sketchy since news of the mobster’s death is fluid.

Tip led to FBI apprehending mobster

For 16 years, Bulger was on the lam, living in an oceanside apartment in Santa Monica, California. His love interest, Catherine Greig, was also apprehended when the FBI acted on a tip and captured Bulger in 2011.

The manhunt was over. The fugitive and his accomplice were living under false identities, a crime for which Greig was sent to prison.

Prison transfer for aging criminal

The New York Times has reported that Bulger was transferred from prison in Sumterville, Florida, after he allegedly threatened a staff member working at the Coleman complex. There is confusion about why Bulger was transferred via Oklahoma to West Virginia. Some news reports stated, prior to his death, that he was in ailing to failing health. The details will emerge with additional time since this is a developing and unexpected event.

Several news agencies are also indicating that law enforcement has its collective eye on Bulger’s death being connected to the Mafia.

While Bulger was mobbing it up, he also ratted on the Mafia. He was duplicitous.

Corrupt FBI agents made it possible for crimes to persist

Bulger bribed some FBI agents, which resulted in the agency overlooking murders that the mobster played a role in having happened. A sum of 19 murders took place under the watchful eye of Bulger, with corrupt agents allowing crimes to continue. The effect was that the agency scrutinized itself and its protocol for dealing with informants.

Life sentenced became ‘death penalty’

Bulger’s attorney is none too pleased with the outcome of his client's transfer. The Associated Press (AP) was one of the first, if not the first, new outlets to report on a brief press statement made by J.W.

Carney, Jr., Bulger’s lawyer.

Carney stated that his client was “sentenced to prison for life,” however, decisions by the Federal Bureau of Prisons doled Bulger the “death penalty.” The AP also reported that a “prison union official” stated the mobster’s death is being looked at as a possible homicide, which, as previously cited, is what several news organizations are reporting.

Prison understaffing, violence not foreign within facility

Violence is not foreign within the federal prison where Bulger died, according to the New York Times. The executive vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees is Justin Tarovisky. Local 420, within Tarovisky’s representation, includes the Hazelton penitentiary.

He told CBS News that Bulger is the third inmate killed at the facility this year.

The union’s vice president, Richard Heldreth, also spoke with media, stating that United States Penitentiary Hazelton is understaffed by approximately 40 corrections officers. What is for certain, is that James Joseph ‘Whitey’ Bulger is dead.

Be sure to follow Blasting News for updates about Bulger and his death, as well as for the latest information on the upcoming trial of El Chapo on November 5.