MOSCOW , Russia ( CNN ) -- A cult member who spent several months holed up in a cave with dozens of other people anticipating the end of the world claimed Wednesday that two women died and were buried inside . An above-ground kitchen used by the doomsday cult in the Penza region during the summer . The former cave-dweller , Vitaly Nedogon , relayed his claims to Russian TV journalists , according to Anton Sharonov , a spokesman for the administration of Penza , a region southeast of Moscow . The official said Nedogon did not report the information to police or authorities . Once the rest of the apocalyptic sect leaves the cave , investigators will move in to try to confirm Nedogon 's report , Sharonov said . Nedogon and others left the cave , said to be near the village of Nikolskoye , about 700 kilometers ( 435 miles ) from the Russian capital , about a week ago , after part of its ceiling collapsed . He claimed two women died at different times during the cult 's seclusion , which began in November 2007 . One woman died of cancer and the other from excessive fasting , he told the media . `` However , '' Sharonov told the Russian news agency Interfax , `` the Penza regional administration is of the view that these deaths must be proven legally , which is possible only if all the people leave the cave so that investigative officials can examine it . '' Sharonov said those who remain in the cave told Penza officials during negotiations that they would come out by the Russian Orthodox Easter , on April 27 . He said officials believe 11 people are left in the cave , but only nine will be alive if Nedogon 's report is true . According to Interfax , Penza Deputy Governor Oleg Melnichenko , who is leading the local effort to resolve the situation , said he was unaware of any deaths in the cave . The cave ordeal began when Kuznetsov , the group 's leader , told his followers to hide themselves to await the end of the world , which he predicted would take place in May . They had threatened to commit mass suicide if authorities tried to intervene . Thirty-five sect members are believed to have entered the cave initially , Interfax said . E-mail to a friend . From CNN 's Maxim Tkachenko in Moscow .
Claims that one woman died from cancer , another from fasting in cult 's cave . Russian cult leaders told followers it would end in May . Sect members threatened to commit suicide if authorities failed to intervene .