James “Whitey” Bulger, 89, eluded authorities for 16 years while he holed up in an apartment in Santa Monica, California, with his girlfriend Catherine Greig, who is now 67. Though he evaded capture for over a decade, he could not escape death on October 30.
The Medical Examiner for Preston County, West Virginia, pronounced Bulger dead after life-saving efforts failed, according to the Boston Globe and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
He was discovered “unresponsive” at roughly 8:20 AM. No other inmates were injured. Prison staff was also not endangered. The FBI was informed of Bulger’s death. The exact cause of his death has not been released.
Bulger was serving life sentences for laundry list of crimes
Bulger died at the Hazelton federal penitentiary, which is located in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, according to a statement from federal prison officials, the Globe published. At the time of his death, the former mob boss was serving two consecutive life sentences for a laundry list of crimes: 11 murders, extortion conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy, and money laundering.
That is not the end of the list, by no means. He was also serving time for firearms violations, including possession of firearms that had the serial numbers “obliterated,” the Globe reported. Additional convictions included his possession and transfer of unregistered machine guns, along with possession.
.
Mobster-turned-informant ratted on Mafia
Bulger was not only a mobster but he was also an FBI informant who ratted on the Mafia, the New York Times noted. He reportedly corrupted “agents with bribes.” As a result of bribery, he was able to “conceal 19 murders.”
In stark contrast to the mobster, William M. Bulger, his younger brother, had quite an impressive and illustrious career. According to the Huffington Post, William was “the longest-serving president” of the state Senate in Massachusetts.
He had also been the president of the University of Massachusetts, but he was “forced to resign” when he would not testify against his older brother.
Lifelong criminal derived nickname from police
South Boston police nicknamed Bulger when he was a teen. They called him “Whitey” due to having “light blond hair,” Huffington reported. Police were familiar with him as a juvenile, having had a number of arrests. He was sent to juvenile detention, as well. His run-ins with the law followed him straight through to prison.
Bulger tallied nine years behind bars in federal prisons as a younger adult, including Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock,” which is located in the San Francisco Bay. He also did time at Leavenworth, Kansas.
Following his parole in 1965, his life of crime continued, netting him an estimated $30 million, Huffington wrote.
Living on the lam ended with a tip
His life on the lam, living with his girlfriend in scenic Santa Monica in a seaside apartment, came to an end on June 22, 2011, when he was apprehended following a tip that law enforcement received. Until he was taken into custody, Bulger was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
The 2006 Best Picture Oscar was awarded to “The Departed,” which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson. The movie was based on Bulger’s life.
Though the notorious mobster who was from South Boston is dead, talk of him will likely linger. There most probably will be conspiracy theorists who suggest that Bulger is not dead, but escaped or is in a witness protection program living out his remaining time in anonymity and obscurity.
James Joseph “Whitey” Bulger, Jr., was born on September 3, 1929, and died on October 30, 2018. May the survivors of his crimes live with some sense of peace.
Be sure to follow Blasting News for the latest information, including updates about the upcoming trial of accused drug lord El Chapo and the preliminary hearing of former Bravo reality star Thomas Ravenel. Each man is due in court for their individual legal proceedings on November 5.