ANNISTON, Ala. -- Fugitive killer Audrey Marie Hilley, dubbed 'The Black Widow' for the arsenic poisoning of her husband, died of hypothermia Thursday several hours after police found her unconscious on a back porch.
Anniston police found Hilley four days after she failed to return to the Tutweiler Prison in Wetumpka from a three-day furlough, her first since being sentenced to life in 1983 for murdering her first husband.
Police, responding to a call about a suspicious person, went to a home in north Anniston about 2 p.m., and found Hilley, 54. She was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center and underwent emergency threatment for hypothermia, hospital vice president Linda Barnes said.
Barnes said Hilley was unconcious when brought to the hospital and had a cardiopulmonary arrest. She was declared dead at 5:06 p.m., CST.
'The preliminary diaganoses is hypothermia and exposure,' Barnes said. 'Her core temprature dropped so low she could not maintain normal body functions, such as hearthbeat and respitartion.'
Barnes said it had not been very cold in Anniston.
'I think it was only in the 40s last night. But with the rain today, the body loses a lot more heat than when you're dry,' she said.
Hilley's body willbe taken to Birmingham for an autopsy.
Barnes said police were initially not sure the woman they had picked up was Hilley.
'Police found a lady on the rear porch of a house and brought her in. We had to wait until the daughter came in to confirm it was her,' Barnes said.
Calhoun County District Attorney Joe Hubbard, who dubbed Hilley the 'Black Widow' for poisoning her husband, said he was shocked she was found so soon and that she apparently had trouble finding shelter during her escape.
'I think we can say all of us were surprised she was found this early and particularly found in this condition, but until we are able to assess what has happened to her and what she's gone through in the last few days, I can't really comment on that,' Hubbard said.
Hilley was declared a fugitive Sunday after failing to return from a three-day furlough from Tutwiler Prison, where she was serving a life term for the murder of her first husband, Frank Hilley.
Hilley was convicted of murder in 1983, eight years after Hilley died. His death was originally believed to have been caused by infectious hepatitis, but in 1979, after the Hilleys daughter, Carol, showed symptoms of arsenic poisoning, his body was exhumed and traces of arsenic were found.
Hilley was arrested and charged with murder, but she skipped bond and disappeared for four years. Lawmen traced her through four states before she was finally arrested in New England.
Hilley had moved to Florida, where she married John Homan under the name Robbi Hannon. After moving to New Hampshire, Hilley went on a trip to Texas, dyed her hair blonde, lost 20 pounds and returned as Robbi Hannon's sister, Terri, telling Homan his wife had died.
Homan fell for her story, but friends were suspicious. She was arrested after planting a fake obituary in the Keene, N.H., newspaper.
Hilley was sentenced to life plus 20 years for the poisoning of her first husband, making her eligible for the furloughs upon good behavior. She was given four eight-hour passes and returned on time each time before receiving the three-day pass last week, officials said.
Hilley left a note to Homan, who was responsible for her on the furlough, saying she was going to Canada, police said.
