DALLAS, Texas: A Texas prisoner accused of killing 22 older women over two years, preying on them so he could steal jewelry and other valuables, was slain on Tuesday by his cellmate while serving a life sentence, prison officials said.

Billy Chemirmir, 50, who was convicted last year for slaying two of the women, was found dead in his cell at a prison in rural East Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Hannah Haney said. He was killed by his cellmate who was also serving a prison sentence for murder, she added.