And an Indiana woman who drew international support when she was sentenced to death at the age of 16, and was later released from prison, has been found dead of an apparent suicide at the age of 45. Paula Cooper became the youngest person on death row in 1986 after her conviction for killing Ruth Pelke, an elderly Bible teacher. Her case drew calls to spare her life from people around the world, including the victim’s grandson, Bill Pelke. Shortly before her release for good behavior in 2013, Cooper told The Times of Northwest Indiana she looked forward to starting a new life.

Paula Cooper: “When I get out, I mean, I don’t care if I have to sweep floors, wash dishes or flip hamburgers; I’m going to take whatever I can get, you know, just to get on my feet and show people that I deserve a chance.”

Paula Cooper was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Indianapolis on Tuesday.