Broken Ignition Switch?

Engine dying when the key is released is a great indicator of a bad ballast resistor.

Bad brand new switches are common these day also, so the OP may want to test light the two power side wires of the ballast in the start and run positions both.

Or just pull both of the wires from the engine side of the ballast and test light those terminals on the ballast.
If it's the ballast the test light will not light up when the key is in the run position on either terminal.