SALT LAKE CITY -- The widow of the man police said was their top potential suspect in the unsolved Elizabeth Smart kidnapping said authorities were investigating the wrong man.

Angela Ricci took her husband, Richard Albert Ricci, off of life support Friday night. He had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage Tuesday at the Utah State Prison, where he had been serving time on a parole violation. He never regained consciousness.

Ricci, 48, died about 12 minutes after life support machines were turned off. Angela Ricci said the stress of being wrongly linked to Elizabeth Smart's abduction contributed to his death.

Elizabeth's father, Ed Smart, had said he felt Ricci had a part in his daughter's disappearance. He had made several televised pleas for Ricci to cooperate with police. Ricci had worked as a handyman in the Smart's house and was accused of stealing from their home.

After Ricci's death, the Smart family issued a statement expressing "heartfelt condolences" to his widow.

Elizabeth was kidnapped from her bedroom in the early morning of June 5. Her 9-year-old sister, Mary Katherine, was the only witness.

Ricci was never charged, but Salt Lake Police Chief Rick Dinse called him the top potential suspect in the case.