Police say man found crucified likely committed suicide

MUNGYEONG, South Korea, May 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state forensic agency said it concluded Tuesday that a man found crucified on a wooden cross in an abandoned quarry earlier this month had killed himself.
An autopsy showed the man, identified as a 58-year-old surnamed Kim, is believed to have died from suffocation caused by hanging, and he had bleeding from a stomach wound, according to the National Forensic Service.
Kim was found dead just days after the Easter holiday in Mungyeong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, with his hands and feet nailed to the cross while he was wearing nothing but underwear and what appeared to be a crown of thorns.
The agency also said no evidence has been found to suspect foul play, noting only Kim's DNA was found on his nails, the crown of thorns, nylon strings and a knife found at the scene.
The agency added that notes on how to be crucified that were found in a tent where Kim lived near the quarry were confirmed to be written in his handwriting.
Police also confirmed that a reenactment based on Kim's notes showed that an adult man can be crucified by himself.
Police plan to close the case by determining it as a suicide, noting Kim purchased timber for the cross. They also said circumstantial evidence suggested that he set his affairs in order. Kim had canceled his mobile phone subscription and closed his bank account.