An American fugitive who escaped prison has died a week after allegedly shooting himself in the head.

Bart Allen Helmus, 39, was appearing at court in Pattaya, Thailand, with his Thai girlfriend Sirinapha Wisetrit, 31, on November 4 for a trial on drugs charges when they escaped.

Helmus was captured on November 6 when police surrounded them in Sa Kaeo province near the Cambodia border after two nights on the run.

The American allegedly shot himself in the head, which also wounded his wife. Police initially said he was dead but medics at the Sakaeo Crown Prince Hospital later said that he was in a coma, being kept alive with a life support machine.

The hospital today (November 15) announced that Helmus had died the previous evening at 6pm. They did not say whether his life-support machine had been turned off.

Doctor Phuwadol Kittiwattanasan said: ''Since the American patient was admitted, there have been police guarding his room every day and changing shifts every eight hours.

''He died at approximately 6pm on Thursday.''

Police arrested Helmus and Wisetrit in July this year after raiding their apartment where they allegedly found 1kg of crystal methamphetamine, a pistol with 200 bullets, scales, plastic bags and 205,000 Baht (6650 USD).

Helmus allegedly ordered the drugs from the 'dark web' before selling them to customers around the Thai 'Sin City' resort.

An American fugitive who escaped prison has died a week after allegedly shooting himself in the head.

Bart Allen Helmus, 39, was appearing at court in Pattaya, Thailand, with his Thai girlfriend Sirinapha Wisetrit, 31, on November 4 for a trial on drugs charges.

But shortly before 3.30pm, Helmus and Sirinapha were in a cell on the outside of the building when several gun shots were heard and a fight erupted with guards. They then fled into a waiting car with another prisoner.

Helmus was captured on November 6 when cops surrounded them in Sa Kaeo province near the Cambodia border after two nights on the run.

The American allegedly shot himself in the head, which also wounded his wife. Police initially said he was dead but medics at the Sakaeo Crown Prince Hospital later said that he was in a coma, being kept alive with a life support machine.

The hospital today (15/11) announced that Helmus had died the previous evening at 6pm. They did not say whether his life-support machine had been turned off.

Doctor Phuwadol Kittiwattanasan said: ''Since the American patient was admitted, there have been police guarding his room every day and changing shifts every eight hours.

''He died at approximately 6pm on Thursday.''

Police arrested Helmus and Wisetrit in July this year after raiding their apartment where they allegedly found 1kg of crystal methamphetamine, a pistol with 200 bullets, scales, plastic bags and 205,000 Baht (6650 USD).

Helmus allegedly ordered the drugs from the 'dark web' before selling them to customers around the Thai 'Sin City' resort.

The pair were due to begin a trial at the Pattaya Provincial Court on November 4 along with Thai suspect Noi Ton Nintet, 41, when several gun shots were heard and a fight erupted with guards.

One policeman was stabbed and rushed to hospital where he has since been recovering. The injured officer Captain Thanameth Potiphan was found with a silver knife in the left side of his body after being stabbed.

The fugitives fled in a getaway car before changing into a second vehicle and heading for the Cambodia border. They were just 40km from escaping into the neighbouring country when they were court.

Helmet allegedly held his wife's head next to his and shot himself in his right temple. His wife was also injured from the blast.

Helmus lost consciousness and was taken to hospital where he remained 'brain dead' for eight days. He was declared dead on November 14.

Officers are now interrogating his wife, who will be tried on the original charges plus the extra allegations for attempted murder of a policeman, escaping while being in custody, threatening others with guns, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, carrying a gun in public without reason and shooting in public without reason.