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Amber Hilberling pronounced dead in prison; was serving time for pushing husband out of high-rise

Posted at 6:28 AM, Oct 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 22:47:06-04

MCLOUD, Okla. - The woman accused of pushing her husband out of a high-rise apartment window reportedly committed suicide this week. 

Amber Hilberling, 25, died in her prison cell at Mabel Bassett Correctional Facility on Monday, confirmed the Department of Corrections. According the medical examiner, the preliminary autopsy revealed that cause of death was ruled asphyxial hanging and the manner of death was ruled as suicide.

The DOC reports that Hilberling was found Monday around 5:20 p.m. hanging from her bunk bed in her cell. Officers took her down after discovering her and attempted to administer life saving procedures. 

RELATED: Former Tulsa County Jail detention officer not surprised by Hilberling's death

Hilberling was still serving time for second degree murder in the death of her husband named Josh Hilberling. Police said Josh Hilberling was pushed out of a 25 story building in June 2011.

Clark Brewster, who was Hilberling's attorney, said “I have been informed by Amber’s mother that the prison officials called her to inform her that Amber died yesterday. Her family is devastated. The details concerning her death are still unknown to the family."

Joshua Hilberling's family sent a statement following Amber's death saying "It is with a heavy heart that I write this statement. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone who loved Amber. Had Amber accepted the generous sentence that was offered to you by the DA, she would've been home last year. Whether it was greed, or foolishness that caused her to not accept the deal . The deal would've prevented her from personally suing the apartment building owners? I regret that some people find it necessary to post negative comments on Joshua's memory page, and send ugly private messages. It brings back memories of the pages and pages of derogatory lies posted for months after Josh's death. We are reliving that day, the feelings and thoughts have returned, as if it had just happened. Josh was a good man. He was not perfect. He made many mistakes. But, he always asked for forgiveness and forgave others. He showed kindness to everyone. His life was taken before he could achieve his many goals. This is not a time to dig up hate and contempt. Joshua and Amber are gone from this earth forever. We are left with pain and memories. Our wish for Amber's family is to try to remember the good times you had with Amber. Amber loved her father, Mike Fields and her Missouri family. We are praying for peace for everyone, including Josh's family and friends. Both families have lost a child. There are no winners in either of these horrible events. It is tragic for everyone.”

In 2013, Amber Hilberling was sentenced to 25 years in prison. She was serving her sentence at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Oklahoma.

PHOTOS: Evidence photos released in Amber Hilberling case

Hilberling told Dateline reporter Andrea Canning she didn't regret not taking a plea deal for five years, despite receiving the harsher sentence. 

RELATED: Testimony begins in trial for Amber Hilberling, woman charged with husband's high-rise fall Amber Hilberling evidence, video and pictures, made public from apartment window push trial | Amber Hilberling, sentenced to 25 years in husband's 2011 death, to be featured on MSNBC's Lockup

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