Giles County police say a man convicted of killing two hikers on the Appalachian Trail in 1981 and believed connected to the shooting of two people on the trail last week has died.

Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Ron Hamlin says 54-year-old Randall Lee Smith, who was being held in connection with the shooting of two fishermen Tuesday, was pronounced dead at a Pulaski County hospital shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday.

Hamlin said officers at the New River Valley Regional Jail found Smith lying on his side and unresponsive around 5 p.m. He was taken to the hospital where he later was pronounced dead. There was no evidence of suicide.

Police believe Smith spent three hours Tuesday with 33-year-old Sean Farmer and 37-year-old Scott Johnston before they suspect he shot the two at their camp on Lions Den Road.

Smith served 14 years for the murders of Susan Ramsay and Robert Mountford, Jr. along the trail in 1981.