Conn. Jewelry Store Murder Suspect Found Dead in Spanish Prison

Andrew Robert Levene was arrested on Tuesday.

The suspected killer of a jeweler in Westport, Conn. last month has been found dead in Spain after his arrest this week on murder charges.

Andrew Robert Levene, 41, was accused of shooting and killing the owner of YZ Manufacturing on Dec. 8 in order to steal $300,000 in diamonds.

Yekutiel Zeevi, 65, was shot and killed in his store at the Compo shopping center. It was the first murder in Westport since 1996. 

Levene had been accused of pretending to be looking to buy diamonds as a ruse to gain access to the store. Once inside, Levene pulled out a gun and shot Zeevi and a business associate, authorities said.

Levene fled the U.S. on a flight out of Philadelphia to the Netherlands and then went on to Spain.  He was arrested by Spanish national police. 

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid said in a statement that American officials were notified Thursday of Levene's death and that Spanish authorities are investigating.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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