'Murder' journalist dead in jail

Vlado Taneski is said to have had a poor relationship with his mother

A Macedonian journalist suspected of brutally murdering at least three elderly women and writing about their deaths has been found dead in custody.

Vlado Taneski, 56, committed suicide by putting his head in a bucket full of water, a police spokesman said.

The reporter was arrested on Friday accused of kidnapping, abusing and sexually assaulting three women.

He fell under suspicion after his reports included details of the crimes that the police had not released.

Police allege that he kidnapped and abused the women before cutting them into pieces and dumping them in plastic bags.

He is suspected of involvement in the disappearance of a fourth woman.

All the women apparently had similarities to the suspect's late mother, with whom he reportedly had a poor relationship. All were poorly educated and had worked as cleaners, and all were from the same part of the western town of Kicevo, police said.