Convicted killer found dead in prison shower

In a final, violent twist to a murder case that tore apart one Maryland family, a man serving two life sentences for killing his young children was found dead this weekend in a prison shower, authorities said.

Maryland State Police are investigating the death of Richard Spicknall, who pleaded guilty in November 2000 to fatally shooting his son and daughter, as a homicide, officials said. Spicknall was found unresponsive at about 7:40 p.m. Saturday in a shower at the Jessup Correctional Institution, according to Mark Vernarelli, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.