Man on death row for 2006 Horry County murder dies in prison

(WSPA) — A South Carolina death row inmate has died two decades after his estranged wife's killing. The SC Department of Corrections announced that Louis Michael Winkler Jr. died Monday morning at Kirkland Correctional Institution. Winkler was convicted of murder, first-degree burglary and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in the death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Grainger Winkler, of Loris. Winkler was out on bond for kidnapping, rape and assault charges involving his estranged wife when he kicked in her door and shot her in the face at close range in front of her teenage son. He then hid in a wooded area for two weeks before being captured by police. He was tried and sentenced to death for his crimes in 2008. The 66-year-old was pronounced dead before 9 a.m. in Kirkland's infirmary after an extended illness. An autopsy will be performed, according to officials.