“Devil’s Chosen One” Dies in Prison Just Months from Parole
Wayne Spencer Franks, infamously nicknamed “the Devil’s chosen one,” was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield on December 5, 2022. The 47-year-old was serving a life sentence for the savage murder of elderly widow Mabel Whitelam. His death, just months before he was eligible to apply for parole, has raised serious questions about drug smuggling and inmate care behind bars.
Gruesome Crime and Life Behind Bars
Franks’ grim legacy began in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, where at the age of 23 he brutally murdered 85-year-old Mabel Whitelam during a robbery. He ransacked her home and stole a mere £80. Found guilty at Hull Crown Court in 2004, Franks was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years.
Drugs and Death Inside Maximum Security
Wakefield Prison, known for housing some of Britain’s most notorious criminals, became the grim setting for Franks’ death. The inquest revealed that his cause of death was heart disease complicated by a heavy dose of dihydrocodeine—an opioid painkiller he wasn’t prescribed. It’s suspected he got the drugs from another prisoner.
Further tests showed multiple drugs in his system, including medication for Alzheimer’s disease, a condition he never had. Franks had a long history of drug abuse since age 11 and was reportedly involved in dealing drugs inside the prison.
Inquest Verdict: Death by Misadventure
The inquest jury ruled Franks’ death a “misadventure,” meaning it was accidental despite being self-inflicted through drug use. Coroner Oliver Longstaff found no evidence of suicide or neglect by prison authorities. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman noted Franks’ known role in trading prescribed medication behind bars.
Wakefield Prison has since strengthened security to clamp down on drug trafficking, significantly cutting down illicit substance circulation among inmates.
Family and Final Days
Franks’ daughter, who had limited contact with him, said she last spoke to him the day before his death. He “seemed his normal self.” She recalls that Franks was due to be eligible for parole in March 2023 and did not express concerns about his prison care.
Legacy of Crime and Questions Remain
Wayne Spencer Franks’ passing closes a grim chapter of violence and drug abuse. But it also shines a harsh light on the battle against drug smuggling inside UK prisons and whether the system adequately protects vulnerable inmates.
