Michael Hernandez, who was serving a life sentence for murdering his classmate at age 14, died of cardiac dysrhythmia attributed to morbid obesity, according to the medical examiner’s office.
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The Murder of Jaime Gough
In 2004, Hernandez lured his friend Jaime Gough into a bathroom at Southwood Middle School in Palmetto Bay, Florida, and stabbed him more than 40 times with a knife. He then went to class with the weapon hidden in his backpack. He was arrested later that day and confessed to the crime.
Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He claimed that he was obsessed with serial killers and wanted to become one himself. He also had a list of other potential victims, including his own sister.
The Death of Michael Hernandez
Hernandez died on April 29, 2021, at the Columbia Correctional Institution near Jacksonville, where he was incarcerated. He was 31 years old. The District IV Medical Examiner’s Office in Jacksonville confirmed that his cause of death was cardiac dysrhythmia attributed to morbid obesity, according to Local10.com.
Cardiac dysrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can be caused by various factors, such as heart disease, drug overdose, or electrolyte imbalance. Morbid obesity is a condition where a person’s body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher, which increases the risk of various health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
It is not clear how Hernandez became morbidly obese in prison, or whether he had any underlying health conditions or drug use that contributed to his death. The Florida Department of Corrections did not provide any further details about his death.
The Reaction of Jaime Gough’s Family
The family of Jaime Gough, who would have been 31 years old as well, said that they were shocked and saddened by the news of Hernandez’s death, but not happy or relieved. They said that they had forgiven Hernandez for his actions, but still missed their son every day.
“That was very shocking for us,” Jaime’s father, Jorge Gough, said. “We were not expecting that at all. We’ve been hurt. We don’t want to see anyone die or hurt like that. Even though we went through what we went through, we were not happy to hear that Michael Hernandez was dead in jail.”
Jaime’s mother, Maria Gough, said that she hoped that Hernandez had found peace and redemption before his death. She also said that she looked forward to seeing her son again in heaven.
“I have hope in my mind, my heart, that I’m gonna see him one day and that’s my strength,” she said.
The state attorney for Miami-Dade County, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, also expressed her condolences to both families, and said that Hernandez’s family were also his victims.
“I have always felt that Michael Hernandez’s family were also Michael’s victims,” she said. “Upon his conviction, Michael Hernandez’s family was also scarred by Michael’s actions.”
