Ed Wutke

Edward Wutke (1902-1937) was an American sailor who was convicted by the United States Federal Government for murder. He was sent to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary for 27 years for committing murder at sea and was assigned the number #47-AZ. Wutke was the first prisoner on Alcatraz during its period as a penitentiary to successfully commit suicide. He fatally sliced through his jugular vein with the blade from a pencil sharpener and was found dead in a pool of blood. Wutke died November 13, 1937.