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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The autopsy on Mike Miske was done Monday, about 24 hours later the infamous organized crime leader was found dead in his cell at the federal detention center in Honolulu.
The results were inconclusive and sources said more tests need to be done to determine whether the 50-year-old died of natural causes or by suicide, but there were no obvious signs of foul play.
Miske was not isolated. HNN Investigation has learned that he had a cellmate, but investigators do not believe at this time that he was the victim of a crime.
Retired federal public defender Alexander Silvert worked in the federal system for 30 years and said FDC is considered a safe facility.
“There are a lot of cameras and a lot of security,” Silvert said.
Attorney Myles Breiner agreed, saying many of his clients prefer to serve at FDC.
“It has a reputation for being cleaner, safer and more professionally managed,” Breiner said.
The same jury that found Miske guilty in July of thirteen charges, including murder, kidnapping and extortion, also ruled in favor of forfeiture.
The government was in the process of seizing an estimated $25 million in assets, including a luxury home in Portlock, both classic and sports cars, a Boston Whaler, plus cash and works of art.
Miske would be sentenced in January.
His death prior to sentencing has complicated the forfeiture process.
“Either there will be a hearing right before the judge on the forfeiture issue, or the government will have to convert this from a criminal case to a civil case” in order to seize the assets, Silvert said.
Miske had been working at FDC since July 2020, when he was arrested in Kailua by FBI agents.
It could take months for additional test results to determine Miske’s cause of death.
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