Joseph Harrington, who was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering Sylvia King, died at Mater Dei Hospital where he was receiving treatment.

Mr Harrington was found guilty of the murder in 1997 together with Tommy Baldacchino, who in 2003 was found dead of a suspected heroin overdose at his flat in Bugibba.

Sylvia King, a national bowling champion, was burnt alive in her car on 3 April, 1993 at Kuncizzjoni, limits of Rabat. She was 37 years old.

King, of St Julian's, had been found dead in the boot of her Honda Civic. The car had been set ablaze with the woman trapped - gagged and bound - in the boot. She had been kidnapped from Marsascala.

King was the owner of Lemon n' Lime restaurant in Marsascala and was a helper in a voluntary group that assists women in difficulty.

Harrington and Baldacchino had been arraigned four days after the crime.