Christopher Tapp, who spent 20 years behind bars for wrongful conviction, dies

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Christopher Tapp, a local man who spent more than 20 years behind bars for a wrongful conviction, is dead. 

The 47-year-old died in an accident that resulted in a head injury. 

Local News 8 talked with his family Monday morning.

They say he passed away peacefully with family at his side. 

Tapp was in Las Vegas when he died.

He was there as a sponsor for race car organization Odom Racing and Howe Motorsports. 

In a statement, the family said, "It breaks our hearts to announce that Chris Tapp has entered the gates of heaven."

Tapp was wrongfully accused of killing Angie Dodge in 1996. 

In 2019, Tapp was fully exonerated of the crime after DNA led police to a different suspect, Brian Dripps. 

Tapp was awarded $11.7 million last year as part of a settlement with law enforcement for his wrong conviction. 

Less than three months ago, his wife Stacy passed away in a car accident.