Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Alleged Pedophile Accused Of Fatally Poisoning Girl, 9, With Chloroform So He Could Sexually Assault Her Dies While In Jail
Jeff Beagley had been facing multiple charges – including first-degree murder – after investigators found a disturbing scene inside a metal shed on a Grand Junction property.
A Colorado man accused of killing a 9-year-old girl with chloroform during an attempt to sexually assault her died last week after being found unconscious in his jail cell.
Jeffrey Beagley, 34, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Mesa County Detention Facility around 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 23, according to a statement from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and nursing staff performed CPR after discovering Beagley and transported him to a local hospital, where he died just before 2 p.m.
The sheriff’s office is conducting an investigation into the death; however, they said there “does not appear to be anything suspicious” about it.
Mesa County Coroner Victor Yahn told The Daily Sentinel that due to the nature of the death, his office planned to conduct a thorough evaluation.
“We are being very diligent in everything we are doing so there are no lingering questions or concerns,” he said.
Beagley was arrested earlier this month for the death of a 9-year-old girl, who died after being administered a lethal dose of chloroform. Investigators said that Beagley called police Nov. 9 to report the child was unresponsive.
Investigators later found a bottle of chloroform and a rag in a small metal shed at the Grand Junction property where she died, KKCO reported at the time. They also discovered a makeshift tent inside the shed with blankets and pillows that was built for “privacy,” according to charging documents obtained by the station.
One of the blankets positioned by a computer monitor contained what appeared to be drops of blood. Inside the shed, there was also a laptop and video camera.
Authorities believe Beagley used the chloroform-soaked rag to try to render the young girl unconscious so he could carry out a sexual assault, according to charging documents obtained by KMGH-TV.
An autopsy later determined she died from “chloroform poisoning.”
It is not clear what relationship the victim or Beagley may have had to one another, KKCO reported.
Beagley was facing charges of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and reckless manslaughter, according to the local paper.
Investigators also reportedly found pornographic images and videos on his cellphone and computer.
