One of Russia's most infamous gang leaders found dead in his prison cell

Sergei Tsapok, the leader of the gang that was terrorizing inhabitants of the Kuban town of Kushchevskaya for many years, was found dead in a solitary confinement cell.

According to ITAR-TASS, he suffered a stroke last week. Forensic experts have yet to establish the cause of death of the convict.

The village of Kushchevskaya became known nationwide in Russia in 2010, when there were 12 dead bodies (including two children) with stab wounds discovered in one of the private houses in the beginning of November. The victims were the owner of the house, a farmer, and his family, as well as two neighbors and guests from Rostov-on-Don.

As part of the investigation, eight people were arrested, including Sergei Tsapok. During the time of the existence of the gang - from 1998 to 2010 - 19 people had been killed.