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Who was Amber Hilberling?
Amber Hilberling was a 25-year-old woman who was convicted of second-degree murder for pushing her husband, Joshua Hilberling, out of a 25th-floor window of their apartment in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2011. She claimed that she acted in self-defense, as Joshua was abusive and violent towards her. She also said that the window was faulty and broke easily. However, the prosecution argued that she intentionally killed him, as she had a history of domestic violence and had threatened him before. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2013.
How did Amber Hilberling die?
Amber Hilberling died on October 24, 2016, while serving her sentence at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Oklahoma. According to the state medical examiner’s office, she died from hanging, a suicide, according to her autopsy report. She was found partly suspended by the neck with an electrical cord ligature in her cell by another inmate. She had methamphetamine in her bloodstream and scars on her wrists, indicating previous self-harm attempts. She also had scratch marks on her neck, abrasions on her jaw, and a fractured sternum from resuscitation efforts.
Why did Amber Hilberling kill herself?
The exact motive behind Amber Hilberling’s suicide is unknown, as she did not leave a note or a message. However, some clues suggest that she was unhappy and hopeless in prison. She had been denied parole earlier that year, and had to wait until 2020 for another chance. She also faced harassment and bullying from other inmates, who called her names and threw things at her. She had few friends and visitors, and felt isolated and lonely. She also suffered from depression and anxiety, and had been prescribed antidepressants.
However, some people doubt that she killed herself, and suspect foul play or negligence. Her parents, who believe that she was innocent of murder, claim that she would never have taken her own life, especially since she had a young son who she loved and missed. They also point out that she had written a letter to a local TV station, expressing her willingness to do an interview and share her story, just a day before she died. They question how she obtained the electrical cord, why she was not monitored more closely, and why the prison staff did not try to save her sooner. They have filed a lawsuit against the prison, alleging wrongful death and civil rights violations.
What is the legacy of Amber Hilberling?
Amber Hilberling’s case has attracted a lot of attention and controversy, both in the media and in the public opinion. Some people view her as a victim of domestic abuse, who was unfairly convicted and mistreated by the justice system. They argue that she acted in self-defense, and that the evidence against her was weak and biased. They also sympathize with her struggles and challenges in prison, and condemn the prison conditions and policies that failed to protect her. They call for reform and awareness on the issues of domestic violence, mental health, and women’s rights.
Others view her as a murderer, who deserved her punishment and fate. They believe that she intentionally killed her husband, and that the evidence against her was strong and convincing. They also criticize her behavior and attitude in prison, and accuse her of lying and manipulating. They show no pity or compassion for her, and praise the justice system and the prison staff for doing their job. They call for justice and closure for the victim’s family and friends.
Amber Hilberling’s cause of death is a tragic end to a controversial case, that has left many questions unanswered and many emotions unresolved. Her story is a complex and sad one, that reflects the challenges and dilemmas of domestic violence, mental health, and criminal justice.
