Father Accused of Killing Lori Paige Dies in Prison

A Florida man who was arrested in April for killing his 12-year-old daughter in 2023 reportedly died in custody on Thursday.

Leon County police reported that Andrew Wiley, 36, passed away while in custody due to a medical emergency. Wiley had been accused of killing his daughter, Lori Paige, in June 2023 and leaving her body in a wooded area in Thomas County, Georgia, where it was found in April.

Wiley’s cause of death was not disclosed.

Investigators noted that purchases Wiley made before the crime indicated possible abuse towards Paige, potentially of a sexual nature.

After discarding his daughter’s body, Wiley supposedly bought a plane ticket from Jacksonville, Florida, to Puerto Rico. However, he ultimately drove back to Tallahassee from Jacksonville for reasons that are currently unknown.

Wiley reported Paige missing, claiming she left home with a backpack while he worked a night shift. Police Chief Lawrence Revell said Wiley’s account showed inconsistencies as their investigation continued.

Notably, Tallahassee police said amid Paige’s disappearance that foul play was not suspected. They initially deemed the missing 12-year-old as a “runaway,” though the police department has since stopped using that terminology in missing person cases.

Police searched Wiley’s car last February. They reportedly recovered various items, including a pistol, ammunition, and car cleaning fluid. They also claimed Paige’s blood was on carpet in the car despite Wiley having a cleaner specifically intended to clean blood. Police also noted that Wiley’s vehicle did not have floormats.

Police also seized Wiley’s phone last February. An analysis determined the device was used to search online for remote bodies of water in Alabama and Georgia.

Wiley was charged with second-degree murder. Paige’s cause of death remains undisclosed.

[Feature Photo: Tallahassee police]