James Ray III Cause of Death, What Happened to James Ray III? How did James Ray III Die?

James Ray III, convicted of murdering his girlfriend, died in June 2023 in prison, and the cause of his death remains officially undetermined pending an ongoing investigation and autopsy completion.

by Kavitha

Updated Dec 09, 2023

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James Ray III Cause of Death, What Happened to James Ray III? How did James Ray III Die?
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Who was James Ray III?

James Ray III, a 60-year-old New Jersey lawyer, died while awaiting sentencing for the 2018 murder of his girlfriend, Angela Bledsoe. Found unconscious in his cell, Ray was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark after a medical emergency. Ray had shot Bledsoe in their Montclair home, claiming self-defense as she planned to move out. 

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Convicted of first-degree murder and weapons charges in May 2023, he faced 30 years to life in prison. Ray's fugitive attempt, which included fleeing to Mexico and Cuba, was short-lived, as he was returned to the U.S. in November 2018. A former Marine and NYC police officer, Ray's life ended tragically, with defense attorneys describing it as a "tragic ending to a tragic story."

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James Ray III Cause of Death

James Ray III, a convicted killer, died on June 18, 2023, before serving prison time for the murder of his girlfriend, Angela Bledsoe. Ray was found unconscious in his cell at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey, and was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark after a medical emergency.

The cause of James Ray III's death has not been officially determined, as the autopsy was not complete at the time of the report on December 8, 2023. According to The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, there were no signs of foul play, but an investigation was ongoing. The official cause of death was to be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ray had been scheduled to be sentenced for the murder of Angela Bledsoe on June 22, 2023. The details surrounding his death and the completion of the autopsy were still pending, and updates were expected as the investigation progressed.

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What Happened to James Ray III?

James Ray III, a New York City lawyer and former NYPD officer, was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Angela Bledsoe, in their Montclair, N.J., home in 2018. The case gained international attention as Ray fled to Cuba, triggering an intense manhunt. Found guilty in May 2023, Ray, 60, was awaiting sentencing when he died in June. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

A disturbing aspect of the case came to light through a handwritten journal titled "On the Move," where Ray detailed the events leading to Bledsoe's death. The journal, described as "part memoir, part spy thriller," contained chilling entries, including Ray expressing that he couldn't stop firing in Bledsoe's direction. Forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland analyzed the journal, emphasizing its calculated nature.

Ray's escape involved leaving a letter claiming self-defense with his brother after dropping off his daughter. He traveled from Newark to Cuba via Philadelphia and Mexico. Despite his death, the journal played a crucial role in his conviction. The 20/20 special provides insights into the case, including interviews with Bledsoe's family and recordings of Ray's post-killing phone calls.

How did James Ray III Die?

James Ray III, a New Jersey lawyer convicted of murdering his girlfriend Angela Bledsoe, died in June 2023 while awaiting sentencing. Found unconscious in his cell, he was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead after a medical emergency. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, with an ongoing investigation.

Ray's conviction came in May 2023, but he passed away before facing sentencing for the 2018 murder. The circumstances surrounding his death, despite being scheduled for sentencing, add mystery to the already tragic case.



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James Ray III Cause of Death - FAQs

1. Who was James Ray III?

James Ray III was a 60-year-old New Jersey lawyer convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Angela Bledsoe.
 

2. What happened to James Ray III?

Ray was found unconscious in his prison cell and pronounced dead in June 2023 while awaiting sentencing for Bledsoe's murder.
 

3. What was James Ray III convicted of?

Ray was convicted of first-degree murder and weapons charges in May 2023 for the 2018 murder of Angela Bledsoe.
 

4. How did James Ray III die?

The exact cause of Ray's death is unknown; he was found unconscious in his cell, and the investigation is ongoing as of December 8, 2023.
 

5. What disturbing details emerged in the case?  

A handwritten journal titled "On the Move" revealed chilling entries, providing insights into Ray's mindset and actions leading to Bledsoe's murder.

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