A SADISTIC killer who left the body of one of his victims stuffed in a suitcase in a country lane near York was today given two life sentences for murder.

Kyu Soo Kim was caught following what North Yorkshire detectives have described as "possibly the most complex murder investigation" the force has ever conducted.

Kim suffocated two South Korean students by binding them into their own "death masks".

Police revealed after today's verdict at the Old Bailey that he may have claimed other victims abroad.

"He has committed two very similar killings here in a very short period of his life. I cannot rule out that he has committed other offences in other countries," said Detective Superintendent Peter Ship.

Kim's motive for killing students Hyo Jung Jin, 21, whose body was found in a suitcase near Askham Richard, and In Hea Song, 22, whose body was found walled up in a London flat, remains a mystery.

Detectives say he was heavily in debt and used the dead women's bank cards to empty their accounts after killing them. But there may also have been a sexual motive.

Miss Jin's body was not found until November, although she was killed in October. She was not identified until the following January.

Miss Song died in December, but her body was not found until March last year.

Kim was, like his victims, South Korean. He rented properties in Poplar, east London, and Eagle Street, central London. Both his victims disappeared while staying with him.

He then booked a flight to Canada for December 13, using money stolen from Miss Song's account as a deposit.

In a joint statement by Detective Superintendent Alan Ankers, of North Yorkshire Police, and Detective Chief Inspector Vic Rae, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "We're extremely pleased with today's verdict. We wish to pay tribute to the entire team of officers whose determination and professionalism helped to secure this outcome today.

"We hope this result brings comfort to the family and friends of Miss Song and Miss Jin."

Judge Jeremy Roberts congratulated the police for a "Rolls-Royce" investigation.

Updated: 13:53 Tuesday, March 25, 2003