Korean serial killer dies after suicide attempt

updated 12:36 a.m. ET Nov. 22, 2009

SEOUL, South Korea - A South Korean man on death row for murdering 13 people in one of the country's worst killing sprees has died after hanging himself.

The Justice Ministry says Jeong Nam-kyu died in a hospital Sunday a day after hanging himself with plastic trash bags in his cell.

The ministry says in a statement Jeong, 40, is believed to have died of a heart attack or brain damage caused by his suicide attempt.

A court sentenced Jeong to death in 2007 for killing 13 people and wounding 20 others. He also robbed and sexually assaulted many of his victims.

Jeong left a note saying he was worried about his execution.

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