Actor dies after 'Passion' play hanging

LOS ANGELES, April 24 (UPI) -- Brazilian actor Tiago Klimeck died two weeks after he accidentally hanged himself during a stage performance of "The Passion of the Christ," officials said.

Before he died Sunday at the Hospital Santa Casa de Misericordia in Itapeva, the 27-year-old actor spent two weeks in a medically induced coma due to extensive brain injuries from a prolonged lack of oxygen, CNN reported Tuesday.

The mishap took place during a production of the play April 6 in Itarare. Klimeck was playing the role of Judas Iscariot, a biblical figure who commits suicide by hanging after betraying Jesus Christ.

CNN said Klimeck wore a harness under his robe during the play and investigators are looking into what went wrong.