ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The man who called himself “Papa Pilgrim,” leading his wife and children on a spiritual quest to Alaska wilderness, has died in an Anchorage jail, where he was serving time for abusing them.

Robert Hale, 67, moved his 17-member family to Alaska in 1998 and eventually settled on private land within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, where they had run-ins with the National Park Service over access.

Hale claimed to be a devout, self-guided Christian who wanted his family isolated from outside influences, including churches. But his family broke with him in 2005 and reported that he had beaten and raped his oldest daughter for years and kept other family members in line with violence and psychological torture.

Hale eventually pleaded no contest to rape, assault and incest. He was sentenced in November to 14 years in prison.

Hale had been in declining health and appeared at his sentencing six months ago in a wheelchair. He was in hospice care in the Anchorage jail when he died at about 9 p.m. Saturday. A chaplain and family members were present, a corrections official said.

At his sentencing, Hale’s lawyer said he had received treatment for advanced cirrhosis, diabetes and blood clots.

Hale was originally from Texas and was once married to the daughter of former Gov. John Connally. The young woman died suspiciously and Hale said he began his quest as a “pilgrim” afterward.

He moved to New Mexico and eventually Alaska with his wife and 15 children.

The family might have remained out of the spotlight but Hale and his sons become embroiled in an high-profile dispute with the National Park Service over access to their property.

National land rights advocates including the Pacific Legal Foundation rallied to the family’s cause and helped pay for legal bills.