Deborah Jeane Palfrey , aka The D.C Madam, was found dead by apparent suicide at the age of 52 in Florida today. She had vowed never to go to prison, despite a federal conviction for running a prostitution ring.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey was found hung to death in Tarpon Springs, Florida in a mobile home residence that belonged to her mom.

A former employee of Palfrey’s named Brandy Britton had hung herself last year, an apparent attempt to avoid the humiliation of trial. Though Palfrey stood trial, she was not willing to go to prison, and apparently for this reason, committed suicide.