The former leader of a doomsday cult in Rulo, Nebraska has died in custody at a prison in southeastern Nebraska.

Officials say Michael Ryan died Sunday from complications related to a brain tumor.   Ryan was convicted in the torture and killing of 26-year-old James Thimm at a southeast Nebraska farm near Rulo and in the beating death of Luke Stice, the 5-year-old son of a cult member.  Ryan told his followers that he heard the voice of God.

Ryan has been on death row since Sept. 12, 1985.

Thimm was beaten, sexually abused, stomped on, partially skinned. His fingertips had been shot off on one hand.

Ryan’s son was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder in Thimm’s death.  Authorities said Dennis Ryan delivered the gunshot that killed Thimm after a month of torture.   He was later released after winning a new trial and being convicted of a lesser charge.

Cult member Timothy Haverkamp was also convicted in the case.  Haverkamp was released after serving 23 years.