BREAKING NEWS Man who killed mother takes own life
This photo of Brandon Orr was taken by the Leader after he was sentenced for murder in 2006. Orr took his own life in prison on Saturday.
Brandon Orr, 28, was found hanged in his cell on Saturday evening at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, said Linda Moodry, public/ victims information officer for the MSP.
Orr, of Lake County, pleaded guilty in December 2006 of bludgeoning his mother to death with a hammer in July 2006. Orr was charged with mitigated deliberate homicide and sentenced to 50 years with no chance of parole.
In his plea agreement, Orr was to serve his 50 years in a secure facility with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, according to a Dec. 14, 2006, Leader article.
Orr's sister, Amber Francis, said in 2006 that she came to understand that her mother's death would help Orr get the help he needed.
Orr was transferred to the MSP on July 30, 2009, according to prison records.
According to the same Leader article, Orr had threatened to commit suicide before his mother's death.