Jailed Craigslist rapist found dead of possible suicide

June 9, 5:57 PMWichita Crime ExaminerDawn Bruner

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David Lee Gage

A man who was recently convicted of raping women who placed ads for erotic services on Craigslist has been found dead in the Sedgwick County Jail.

David Lee Gage, 52, who had been in custody since August of 2008 was awaiting transfer to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Last month, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison.

Gage met the women on the Craigslist  website, and would arrange a meeting at a Wichita motel where he would pose as a police officer- brandishing a fake badge or gun- and telling the women to either have sex with him or be arrested.

A Sheriff's department news release said that at about 6 a.m an inmate on his way to breakfast observed Gage, who was alone in his cell, and reported the apparent death to the detention deputy on duty.

Major Glenn Kurtz told KAKE news that Gage hanged himself. There is an on-going investigation, and it is not known what he used. Kurtz said Gage showed no signs of depression.

County sherriff's personnel will recieve assistance in the investigation from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Gage spoke to the judge during his sentencing saying, "In all probability your honor, this is a death sentence for me."

Since 2008, there have been twelve attempted suicides in the Sedwick County detention facility. According to the county coroner's office, two inmates died by natural causes during the same time period.