An Islamic State fanatic jailed for the gruesome beheading of two female Western tourists in Morocco has been found dead in his cell.

The ISIS killer, named as Abderrahim Khayali, 36, by prison officials, was one of 24 men involved in the live streaming of the shocking murder five years ago.

Moroccan prison officials said he was found dead hanging from a makeshift noose, according to the General Directorate for Prisons.

His body was discovered by guards on 28th February at the prison in Oujda City and could be one of three ringleaders sentenced to death.

Victims Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway, and Danish national Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, were found dead in the foothills of Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains on 17th December 2018.

Their murder was broadcast online, with the killers swearing allegiance to the Islamic State.

Moroccan authorities at the time described it as an act of terrorism.

In total, 24 men were found guilty.

Prosecutors named Abdessamad Ejjoud, Younes Ouaziyad, and Rachid Afatti as the ringleaders. A fourth defendant was named as Abderrahim Khayali, who left before the murders but was found guilty of trying to help the other suspects flee.

All four were sentenced to death, while other suspects were given lengthy jail terms.

At the time of writing, none of the suspects had been executed.

The death penalty is still technically in place in Morocco, despite no executions taking place since 1993.