Father of murdered 12-year-old Lori Paige dies in custody

Andrew Wiley, the father of 12-year-old murder victim Lori Paige, died in custody in a Florida detention facility on June 19 while awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges in connection with his daughter’s death.

Andrew Wiley (Leon County Sheriff’s Office)

According to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Wiley suffered a medical emergency shortly before 5:30 p.m. and was transported to the facility’s medical unit, where he was later pronounced dead.

A preliminary autopsy conducted by the county medical examiner’s office determined the cause of death to be a pulmonary embolism, classified as natural causes.

Lori Paige’s father charged with her death and disappearance

Wiley had been charged earlier this year after Lori’s remains were discovered in a remote wooded area in Thomas County, Georgia. Her disappearance in June 2023 prompted extensive search efforts and widespread community concern throughout North Florida.

Prosecutors had recently alleged evidence of sexual assault and reported that Wiley purchased emergency contraception days before Lori’s disappearance. His death leaves those allegations unresolved as the community still seeks justice.

Wiley’s unexpected passing effectively ends the criminal proceedings against him, but questions surrounding Lori’s final moments remain unanswered. An investigation into the circumstances of his in-custody death is ongoing.