Pedro Bravo, convicted of killing former friend in 2012, found dead in prison

A South Florida man sentenced to life for the murder of a former friend back in 2012 has been found dead in prison.

According to family members and a state prosecutor, Pedro Bravo was found at the Okeechobee Correctional Institution on Wednesday night at around 10 p.m.

It's been more than 10 years since Bravo began serving a life sentence without parole for the death of Christian Aguilar.

Aguilar's family told NBC6 sister station Telemundo 51 that out of respect for Bravo's family, they would not be commenting on the death of their son's killer. They also said Bravo died by suicide, citing a phone call from State Attorney Brian Kramer, but authorities have not confirmed that information to NBC6.

Aguilar was attending the University of Florida when he disappeared in September of 2012. His body was found a month later.

The crime was meticulously planned by Bravo, who, days before Aguilar's death, purchased a shovel, sleeping medication, a hunting knife and duct tape, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Bravo killed Aguilar in part because the victim was dating Bravo's ex-girlfriend. All three had attended school together in South Florida.

A jury convicted Bravo on charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, poisoning, tampering with evidence, giving false information to the authorities and mishandling a body. The verdict came after three hours and fifteen minutes of deliberations.

Bravo, who testified in his own defense, said he and Aguilar got into a heated fight but that when he left him bleeding and injured on the street, his friend was still alive.

But prosecutors said Bravo went to two hardware stores to purchase a "murderer's starter pack," that included a shovel, saying Bravo was reeling after learning that Aguilar was dating his ex.

Bravo used a mutual friend to convince Aguilar, who had been ducking Bravo's calls, to meet with him and discuss Bravo's suicidal thoughts over the breakup. They went to a fast-food restaurant and an electronics store to buy a CD before parking in Wal-Mart parking lot, where prosecutors say Bravo slipped into the backseat of his SUV and strangled Aguilar.

Prosecutors posted pictures in the courtroom of the duct tape eventually found wrapped around Aguilar's body, which was buried in a wooded area miles from Gainesville.

Earlier Wednesday, a motion made by Bravo's attorney to withdraw from the case was granted. She said there was an irreconcilable conflict of interest in representing Bravo.

Court records show eight new charges had been filed in February of this year against Bravo and two others, Kelcie Christal-Dawn Edwards and Michael Charles Angelo, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit witness tampering, perjury and more.

On Facebook, Aguilar's family posted that Bravo was attempting to appeal his conviction with a new witness that, according to the defense, would overturn the case.    

NBC6 has not independently verified that claim, and it is not yet clear if Bravo's new charges stemmed from that alleged effort.

Check back with NBC6 for updates.