Jessica Lunsford's Killer Dies in Prison

The man who kidnapped, raped and murdered 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford and buried her alive behind his sister's trailer, has died on death row of natural causes. John Evander Couey died at a Jacksonville hospital after a lengthy illness.

Couey, 51, was sentenced to death in 2007 for Jessica's death.

Because Couey was a convicted sex offender who was not registered with the local police at the time of Jessica's disappearance, the case became a catalyst for the strengthening of sex offender laws in several states, with Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, lobbying for the tougher laws across the country.

"I never dreamed it would happen like this," Mark Lunsford told reporters. "I never thought I would live long enough to see Couey put to death because of the appeals process. "To me, death is sad, but her death, Jessie's death, has been redeemed ... I'm relieved. I'm glad it's over with."

Jessica Was Buried Alive

On Feb. 23, 2005, Jessica was abducted from her bedroom in her grandmother's home where her and her father were living. Her body was found three weeks later in the backyard of Couey's half-sister who lived within site of the Lunsford home.

Jessica's body was placed in plastic garbage bags and her hands were bound with speaker wire. She punched holes in the garbage bag with her fingers, indicating that she was still alive when she was placed in the shallow grave.

Sources said Couey's death was not unexpected, he had been ill for some time.

See Also:
Killer of Florida 9-Year-Old Dies in Prison

Background:
The Jessica Lunsford Case

Poll:
Should Sexual Offenders Wear Tracking Devices?

^{Photo: Mug Shot}