I seem to remember something about that too, he was on the transplant list, or being evaluated to be added to the list or some such thing. IIRC there was such a commotion about it that the idea finally quietly went away.
I remember the transplant controversy, too.
In fact, I recall protests by people saying they would not approve the donation of the organs of deceased loved ones if there was a chance anything might go to a convicted murderer. Who can blame them?