In prisons, there is an unwritten code that even criminals adhere to – those who have committed crimes against children are the lowest of the low. It’s not hard to understand why.
These convicts have targeted someone who is not only smaller and more innocent, but they have also irreversibly shattered a life. It’s no wonder that other prisoners do not take kindly to such despicable individuals. And at times, these prisoners take justice into their own hands.
One such incident occurred at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, where Anthony Palma, a 59-year-old inmate, met a violent and brutal end at the hands of his cellmate, Raymond Pillado.
Palma had been convicted of a cold-case murder from 1997, in which an eight-year-old girl had gone missing. Her body was never found, and her family had suffered for years until Palma was finally apprehended and connected to the case.
On January 11, Palma’s lifeless body was discovered in his cell. The medical examiner’s report revealed that he had died from “ligature strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.” His cellmate, Pillado, 35 years old, is serving multiple life sentences for murder and shooting with intent to kill. He, too, has a history of committing other crimes.
The prison had initially reported Palma’s death without disclosing the reason behind it. However, it has now been revealed that Palma was likely killed in retaliation for his heinous crime against the innocent eight-year-old girl. The Department of Corrections acknowledges that individuals serving time for victimizing children are especially vulnerable.
“Those who are serving time for victimizing children are definitely more vulnerable,” explained Matt Elliott, spokesperson for the Department of Corrections.
Palma’s conviction was the result of DNA testing that linked him to the girl’s disappearance. He was found guilty of kidnapping her, sexually assaulting her, and ultimately taking her life to eliminate any evidence.
Earlier this year, authorities had hoped that Palma would reveal the location of the girl’s remains during an interview. They had wanted to bring her home and provide closure for her grieving family. Sadly, with Palma’s death, that hope has been dashed. However, Kirsten’s mother, Shannon Hazen, refuses to give up. Despite the unimaginable pain her family has endured, she remains hopeful for answers.
While Kirsten’s killer will never face justice in a courtroom, her family can find solace in knowing that he will never have the chance to harm other children.
