LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A man who spent 30 years on Nebraska's death row for two cult murders died of complications from a rare cancer in his salivary glands.
A death certificate obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press lists the cause of death for Michael Ryan as "metastatic carcinoma or parotid gland origin."
Ryan died on May 24 at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institutional in southeast Nebraska.
Ryan was convicted in the 1985 torture and killing of 25-year-old James Thimm at a farm near Rulo, where Ryan led a cult, and in the beating death of Luke Stice, the 5-year-old son of a cult member.
State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha told a legislative committee in March that Ryan suffered from terminal brain cancer. It's not clear whether the cancer had spread.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Three former Atchison Co employees arrested on felonies
Effingham woman killed Friday in Atchison wreck
One hospitalized, one jailed, after Atchison attack
Atchison man involved in fatal NW MO crash
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
Services set for Effingham woman killed in crash
Street lights to be discussed at Monday city meeting
Meteorologist Spencer: Geometric Watch means electronic disruptions
Two file to challenge local legislator
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
USD 430 Board accepts resignations, approves new hires
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
Truck fire at CGB facility in Falls City
Flags to fly half staff Wednesday across KS
Date set for signals switch at Hiawatha intersection
LATEST STORIES
Nemaha NRD Board appoints new Director
Johnson-Brock Board approves personnel changes
KS Omnibus Budget signed; funds mental health, economy, others
Pawnee City School to move forward with strategic planning
Falls City High School parking lot project approved
Annual fire hydrant flushing underway in Falls City
Memorial Day enforcement hits KS roads
Plastic ducks set to race in Atchison Saturday