Killer got ‘what he deserved’
Rapist dies on death row
A sinister Pennsylvania killer who was sentenced to death for the torture, rape and dismemberment of his girlfriend’s daughter died on death row.
Authorities said Jacob Sullivan, 47, died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm Thursday while awaiting execution. No foul play was suspected. Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a bid to save his life, but the jury decided he should die for his crimes.
Grace Packer, 14, was strangled to death in 2014 as part of a rape fantasy concocted by Sullivan and the girl’s mother, Sara Packer. She was sentenced to life in prison.
Bucks County district attorney Matt Weintraub said he hoped the news of Sullivan’s demise will bring some closure to Grace’s loved ones.
“He plainly got what he deserved, just a lot sooner than we expected,” Weintraub told The Morning Call.
“It certainly means that there is one less torturous appeal process we and Grace’s family will have to endure and for that, we’re grateful.”
During a weeklong hearing in February 2019, investigators played Sullivan’s confession tape. He described the teen’s rape, murder and dismemberment in chilling detail. At times, he laughed.
Judge Diane E. Gibbons told Sullivan he was one of the worst defendants she had seen.
“You have no soul,” she said. “I have never said that to another human being in my life and I hope to not say it again, though I expect to say something similar to Sara Packer.”