Robert Lewis Dear, the man suspected of killing three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs in 2015, has died while in custody. The 57-year-old was found unresponsive in his cell at the Fremont County jail on Saturday and later pronounced dead, according to prison officials. The cause of death has not been released, but foul play is not suspected.
Dear was arrested after a five-hour standoff at the clinic on November 27, 2015, which left three dead, including police officer Garrett Swasey, and nine injured. He was charged with 179 counts, including first-degree murder, and was awaiting trial. His mental competency had been a subject of debate, with multiple evaluations finding him unfit to stand trial.
Neighbors described Dear as a recluse who lived in a remote trailer in Hartsel, Colorado, and a cabin in North Carolina without running water or electricity. He had a history of run-ins with the law, including arrests for animal cruelty and peeping. In the aftermath of the shooting, Dear reportedly said 'no more baby parts' to police, referencing anti-abortion rhetoric surrounding Planned Parenthood.
Dear's death closes a chapter in a case that highlighted the divisive issue of abortion in the United States. The clinic had been the target of protests and controversy after undercover videos alleged improper handling of fetal tissue, which Planned Parenthood denied.
