A KILLER dubbed “the devil's chosen one” who stabbed an elderly woman while high on heroin died in prison, an inquest heard.
Wayne Spencer Franks was just months away from potentially applying for parole when he was found dead in a maximum security facility.
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The 47-year-old stabbed elderly widow Mabel Whitelam 22 times after she opened the door for him on March 11, 2003.
He was in his late twenties at the time.
Franks was found dead on his bed in his cell at HMP Wakefield – nicknamed Monster Mansion due to the large number of high-profile killers locked up there – on December 5, 2022.
The inquest heard that he had taken a large dose of dihydrocodeine, which is believed to have been given to him by another inmate as it had not been prescribed to him.
After murdering Mrs Whitelam, 82, heroin addict Franks ransacked her home in Elliott House on Albion Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and stole £80.
Franks had denied murdering Mrs Whitelam but was found guilty after a trial at Hull Crown Court.
Police I think he's targeting Mrs Whitelam on her retirement day.
Franks' attorney said at the time that he believed his client suffered from a psychopathic disorder and posed a “serious and imminent danger to others.”
Before carrying out the murder, Franks, then employed at Thesiger House, Garibaldi Street, Grimsby, is said to have had a long history of criminal behavior.
His cause of death was found to be heart disease wherein the dihydrocodeine has a contributing effect.
He was believed to have been dead for some time as there was evidence of rigor mortis, the inquest heard.
A number of drugs were found in his system, including one used to treat Alzheimer's disease, a condition Franks did not have.
An inquest jury in Wakefield heard that Franks was known as a supplier and user of illegal substances in the US jail and often took medications prescribed to other prisoners.
A prison GP told the hearing that Franks had an extensive history of abusing illegal drugs in prison and had abused substances since the age of 11.
Franks had originally been treated at Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire, amid claims he had a psychopathic disorder, but was later transferred to Wakefield.
In a statement, Franks' daughter said her father dropped out of school at age 13 and she believed he had never worked.
She believed he would be eligible for parole in March 2023 after nearly two decades in custody.
She had only visited him a few times, but had kept in touch through letters and phone calls.
She had spoken to Franks the day before he was found dead and said he “seemed like his normal self.”
The Crimes of Wayne Spencer Franks
Wayne Spencer Franks stabbed elderly widow Mabel Whitelam 22 times after she opened the door for him on March 11, 2003.
After the murder of Mrs Whitelam, 82, heroin addict Franks, then in her late 20s, ransacked her home at Elliott House in Albion Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and stole £80.
Franks, who died aged 47, had denied murdering Mrs Whitelam but was found guilty after a trial at Hull Crown Court in 2004.
Police I think he targeted Mrs Whitelam on her retirement day.
Franks' attorney said at the time that he believed his client suffered from a psychopathic disorder and posed a “serious and imminent danger to others.”
Before carrying out the murder, Franks, then employed at Thesiger House, Garibaldi Street, Grimsby, is said to have had a long history of criminal behavior.
Franks had been sentenced to life for murder in May 2004 and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years, most of which was spent in HMP Wakefield.
He was both a known “dealer” in prescription drugs and a user, his investigation revealed.
She expressed no concerns about her father's care or treatment in prison.
An investigation into Franks' death has revealed no suspicious circumstances.
The inquest was told that HMP Wakefield had made improvements to security to make it harder for prisoners to obtain drugs, including prescription drugs.
The new procedures had significantly reduced drug trafficking.
The inquest heard details from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who carried out an investigation into Franks' death.
The Ombudsman said Franks had been given a life sentence for murder in May 2004 and had to serve a minimum sentence of 20 years, most of which was spent in Wakefield.
The Ombudsman said Franks was both a known 'trader' of prescription drugs and a user.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff told the jury there was no evidence that Franks had committed suicide, nor any evidence amounting to criticism of the prison.
He said it was likely Franks obtained the dihydrocodeine in prison.
The jury concluded that Franks had died as a result of misadventure, that is, his death was caused by an intentional act with unintended consequences.
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