CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The man convicted of killing three relatives in Ottawa County has been found dead in prison.

William Liske, 29, died about 11:25 p.m. March 31 while incarcerated at the Ross Correctional Institution. The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating his death as a suicide, according to an incident report.

The report states Liske died from a self-inflicted injury.

Liske pleaded guilty in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court to three counts of aggravated murder in the October, 2010, death of his father, William E. Liske, 53; stepmother Susan Liske, 46, and stepbrother, Derek Griffin, 23. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Toledo attorney John Thebes, who represented Liske in court, said news of Liske's death did not shock him.

“He was obviously a disturbed human being. And facing the prospect of life without parole, it doesn’t surprise me,” Mr. Thebes said.

Psychologists’ evaluations for the court made Liske’s mental health problems clear. He may have been better suited in a mental health facility rather than prison, Mr. Thebes said.

Prosecutors said Liske on Oct. 30 or early Oct. 31, 2010 hit his stepbrother with a clawhammer, and shot his father and stepmother inside their home on State Rt. 2, just east of the Lucas-Ottawa County line.

Liske said at his September, 2011 sentencing hearing that he blames himself for their deaths. It was likely the result of his mental illness, he said.

“There won’t be a day that goes by that I won't feel horrible for what I've done,” Liske said.

First Published April 7, 2015, 4:00 a.m.