A 60-year-old prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murder died on Saturday at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The Department of Corrections announced the death yesterday.

?We regret to advise that inmate Paul Belvin, aged 60, passed away at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Saturday,? the statement said.

?Belvin was removed to King Edward from St. Brendan?s Hospital around 2 p.m. after he had collapsed in Devon Lodge.

?Attempts to resuscitate him at King Edward failed and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.?

The Department said Belvin had been transferred to St. Brendan?s Hospital from the Transitional Living Centre at Westgate Correctional facility about eight months ago as it was believed that such intervention would assist in his rehabilitation in preparation for his eventual release from the Department of Corrections.

Belvin had been an inmate since January 26, 1972 when he was given a life sentence for murder. He was convicted for the rape and murder of 24-year-old Jean Burrows, who had a two-year-old son.

Ms Burrows was the common law wife of former reporter Michael Burrows. Her body was found floating in Hamilton Harbour on July 3, 1971.

Belvin is survived by a brother who resides in the United States and a sister who resides in New Zealand.

?Both have been informed of their brother?s death and we extend to them our sympathy in these difficult circumstances,? the Department of Corrections said.