Lawrence Phillips' story came to a sad end Wednesday.

The former NFL running back was found dead in a California prison, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to USA TODAY.

The death is being investigated as a suicide. Phillips was 40.

The former University of Nebraska star was facing the possibility of the death penalty for allegedly murdering his former cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison, the same prison he was found dead.

Phillips was sentenced to a lengthy sentence after being convicted of choking his girlfriend and also driving his car into a pickup football game.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@FOXSports