Reports: Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps Sr. has died

Fred Phelps Sr., the longtime pastor of the virulent Westboro Baptist Church, died late Wednesday, Phelps’ daughter told the Topeka Capital-Journal on Thursday.

Reached by phone, Phelps’ daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, told the paper that her father died while in hospice care.

Phelps’ son, Nate Phelps, told The Star earlier this week that his 84-year-old father was nearing death.

Messages left with the church members on Thursday were not immediately returned.

This story was originally published March 20, 2014 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Reports: Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps Sr. has died."