A Nebraska prison inmate who was convicted of murdering two people in 2004 has died.
Michael Gunther, 67, died Thursday night at the Reception and Treatment Center, a facility in Lincoln managed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. While the department said no cause of death has been determined, it noted Gunther was being treated for a medical condition.
Gunther had been serving a life sentence after he was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2005. A carnival worker, Gunther was convicted of killing colleague Michael Zawodny, a 36-year-old from Athon, Iowa, on May 23, 2004, by shooting Zawodny 11 times at a Blues Amusements carnival near Bellevue.
Gunther had also been convicted of second-degree murder in Pottawattamie County District Court. The conviction stemmed from Gunther killing 45-year-old Sally Kennedy the same day as Zawodny, and he was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
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Kennedy, who owned the carnival company, had been dating Gunther. But after the relationship ended, he killed Kennedy by stabbing and slashing her 22 times in her trailer in Council Bluffs.
Gunther’s Nebraska trial began in an unusual fashion: He apologized for Zawodny’s murder and asked for the death penalty. Gunther acted as his own attorney.
A grand jury will investigate Gunther’s death. Whenever someone dies in custody, state law mandates that a grand jury conduct an investigation.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2023
Omaha Westside's Addison Kasel, No 5, celebrates scoring a goal against Omaha Marian during the Class A girls soccer quarterfinals on Tuesday. Kasel scored two goals in the game
Omaha Westside's Ruby Cunningham right, jumps into the arms of Sydney Hagen after Hagen scored in the second half against Omaha Marian during the Class A girls soccer quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Omaha South's Michelle Montenegro wants to study to become a dance teacher after she graduates on Thursday.
A rainbow appears behind a storm that prompted a tornado warning in the area south of Johnson, Nebraska on Friday, May 12, 2023.
A water main was repaired on West Center Street near 105th on Tuesday. The westbound lane is still closed
Papillion-La Vista South's Marissa Garcia, left, and Lincoln East's Peyton Svehla run the third leg of the 4x800 relay at Nebraska state track on Wednesday.
Shazia Gulzada and her daughter Kawsar Gulzada learn the English alphabet as their teacher, Laura Lopez, right, watches on Wednesday. Some of Nebraska's newest residents, young children and their parents go to class to learn English as they adjust to their new home.
Lincoln East's Troy Peltz scores in the top of the tenth inning against Millard West during the Class A state baseball tournament on Friday.
Elkhorn North catcher Maverick Christiansen holds up the ball as home plate umpire Kevin Marr calls out Norris's Kaden Kier for the last out of the game in the Class B state baseball game on Friday. Kier's run would have tied the game.
Lincoln East celebrates their extra-inning victory over Millard West during for Class A state baseball tournament on Friday.
Osceola's Isaiah Zelasney, left, and Arapahoe's Will Cacy finish the Class D 400 meters at state track on Saturday. Cacy was first, Zelasney, second.
An Omaha firetruck sprays water on a fire at the vacant Flora Apartments on Monday. One person was rescued from the second floor and sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Chad Graeve, with the Pottawattamie County Conservation office, starts a prescribed burn next to the Missouri river at Narrows River Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Wednesday.
A plane talks off from Eppley Airfield and flies over a prescribed burn at Narrows River Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Wednesday. Chad Graeve, with the Pottawattamie County Conservation office, designed the burn in a way to keep the smoke away from nearby Eppley Airfield and the interstate.
Smoke rises up from a prescribed burn at Narrows River Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Wednesday. Chad Graeve, with the Pottawattamie County Conservation office, designed the burn in a way to keep the smoke away from nearby Eppley Airfield and the interstate.
Tulips frame a changing landscape in downtown Omaha as construction starts on the new Mutual of Omaha Headquarters on Wednesday.
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A runner goes by during the 3200 Meter Relay at the Metro Track Meet on Wednesday.
Omaha Northwest's Imani Skanes lands in the triple jump at the Metro Track Meet on Wednesday.
Millard South's Lauren Corey runs the 400 meter dash in the Omaha Metro track and field meet at Omaha Burke High School on Tuesday.
Papillion-La Vista South's Caiden Fredrick competes in discus in the Omaha Metro track and field meet at Omaha Burke High School on Tuesday.
Pearl Gagnon, of La Vista, looks aver flowers at Canoyer Garden Center in Papillion on Monday. Starting Wednesday, temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s and there is no risk of frost, so plants wonÕt be damaged if planted.
