Maple Grove Man Who Killed Wife Found Dead in Jail
The Maple Grove man who was supposed to be sentenced this week for the murder of his wife was found dead in his jail cell this past weekend, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies found Joshua Fury, 29, unresponsive Saturday night.
Found dead in jail cell Saturday
Fury was scheduled to be sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to second-degree intentional murder. Authorities say Fury was alone in a cell at the time of his death. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has ruled the death a suicide. Fury was found during inmate health and wellness checks. Attempts to do CPR were unsuccessful, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sheriff detectives continue to investigate the incident. The Minnesota Department of Corrections will also review the death, officials said. Fury had been housed in the Hennepin County Jail since May 2.
Family of Murdered Woman Was Planning to Provide Victim Impact Statements
Maria Pew Fury, 28, was killed April 30. Her family had been planning to provide victim statements in court on Friday.
According to court records, Fury and his wife had been arguing before the encounter turned violent. During a plea hearing earlier this month, Fury told the court he choked Maria and put a plastic bag over her head causing her to suffocate. Fury initially reported his wife missing, court documents show. He attempted to hide his wife’s body by digging a three-foot grave in a basement crawl space of the couple’s home. Fury was expected to receive a 38-year prison sentence.
Maria Pew Fury, 28, killed by husband
In a statement to CCX News, the Pew family said: “There are no winners in the horrible death of our dear angel, Maria. A sentence of 4 million months does not bring Maria back to us. So, we choose to be who Maria wants us to be……. kind, loving and inspired to use our pain to end domestic violence.”
According to the Pew and Weimelt families, Maria Pew Fury is one of 15 people killed in Minnesota already this year as a result being involved in a violent relationship.
The families are carrying on Maria’s legacy through the Facebook page, Maria’s Voice. The goal is raise money for the nonprofit Cornerstone, which provides services for victims and children of domestic violence situations.
