JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Cancer claimed John Couey's life before the state of Florida could put the convicted killer to death.
Now, Channel 4 investigators are asking how much the state's correction department spent trying to keep Couey alive in his final weeks.
Recommended Videos
Couey had been on death row for two years for the crime of burying Jessica Lunsford alive.
But just like anyone's else's medical care, Couey's medical care at Memorial Hospital likely didn't come cheap, and it's the state that will be paying the bill.
Prison officials said Couey had been sick for some time, but since Aug. 12, he was at Memorial Hospital undergoing expensive treatment -- treatment tax payers are still paying for.
Prison officials said in a phone interview how much was spent to keep Couey alive.
"We have a constitutional mandate to provide the clinical needs for each inmate, and we do that regardless of the sentence they have been given," said Gretl Plessinger, a Florida Department of Corrections official.
When asked if they could be spending thousands of dollars on someone who's going to be put to death in a short time, Plessinger said, "correct."
Prison officials told Channel 4 they have not received the final bill, but with Couey spending more than a month in a local hospital bed, the cost will likely be high.
Channel 4 came up with some estimates based on conversations with local doctors and the department of corrections.
First, Couey had to be make the 51-mile trip from death row to Jacksonville. Taxpayers paid about $740 for that ambulance.
He was then at Memorial Hospital for 49 days undergoing treatment. The average hospital cost in the Jacksonville area for that amount of time is $147,000.
Video:
The child killer had to be under guard 24/7, so tack on another $4,000 more to pay them.
Then there is his treatment. After talking with several doctors, Channel 4 learned it could vary by thousands of dollars. Taxpayers could have been paying about $75,000 for his cancer treatment and even after his death, taxpayers are still paying.
Couey's autopsy, done at local medical examiner's office, is running at about $2,100.
To summarize the costs: there's the transport, hospital stay, guards, treatment and autopsy -- a total Channel 4 came to of more than $231,000.
That's close to a quarter of a million dollars to treat a convicted murderer who molested Jessica Lunsford, then buried her alive.
Instead of dying on death row, Couey died in a warm bed at a Jacksonville hospital under the care of doctors and nurses by his side. Jessica died trying to claw her way out of the grave Couey put her in.
Previous Stories:
- September 30, 2009: Girl's Killer Dies At Memorial Hospital
- August 8, 2007: Couey Not Mentally Retarded, Eligible For Death Penalty
- May 27, 2007: Report: Lunsford Case Cost More Than $500,000
- March 14, 2007: Jury Recommends Death For John Couey
- March 13, 2007: Jurors Urged To Recommend Death For Couey
- March 8, 2007: Jessica's Father 'All For The Death Penalty'
- March 7, 2007: Jury Convicts Couey Of Jessica's Murder
- March 1, 2007: Opening Statements Begin In Couey Trial
- February 15, 2007: Judge: Couey Jury Selection Could Go Another Week
- February 13, 2007: Guards: Couey Often Discussed Lunsford Case
- February 12, 2007: Jury Selection Underway In Jessica Lunsford Trial
- July 13, 2006: Judge Halts Trial Of Sex Offender Accused Of Killing Girl
- July 9, 2006: Jessica Lunsford's Accused Killer Goes On Trial
- July 22, 2005: Trial Set For Sex Offender Accused Of Slaying 9-Year-Old
- March 17, 2005: Police Want To Question Sex Offender In Girl's Disappearance
- March 16, 2005: Father Of Missing Homosassa Girl Confident She's Alive
- March 2, 2005: Father Remains Hopeful Florida Girl Will Be Found
- February 28, 2005: Clear Weather May Help Search For Florida Girl
- February 27, 2005: Darkness Halts Search For Missing 9-Year Old
- February 25, 2005: Police Search Area Where Florida Girl Disappeared