Macomb Twp. Woman Killed By Ex-Boyfriend In Murder-Suicide: Police

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI — An Oakland County admitted he fatally shot his ex-girlfriend in Illinois before fleeing to Iowa, where he then shot and killed himself during a confrontation with officers on Friday, according to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.

Gina Bryant, 25, of Macomb Township, went missing from southeastern Michigan on Thursday afternoon when she did not return to work following her lunchbreak, officials said. Bryant was a University of Michigan - Flint student and was in school for nursing.

Bryant's coworkers become worried when she did not return any phone calls and when they began receiving odd text messages from her phone, officials said.

Police said Bryant's ex-boyfriend, Justin Wendling, 26, from Holly, was waiting for Bryant at her home where she went during her lunchbreak, officials said. Wendling was a medical resident at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township.

A neighbor’s surveillance video showed Wendling leading Bryant to his vehicle at roughly 1:42 p.m. Thursday, officials said.

Hours later, officials said Bryant's parents received a phone call from Wendling, who told them he fatally shot Bryant in LaSalle, Illinois, and that he intended to take his own life, officials said.

At roughly 7:43 p.m., LaSalle officers found Bryant shot dead near the fuel pumps at the Flying J Travel Stop on Interstate I-80, police said. Officials said she was shot in the head.

Police then sent out a nationwide alert to law enforcement agencies after learning Bryant was tied to a missing person's report from southeast Michigan, police said.

Four hours later, at 11:45 p.m., police found Wendling's vehicle in Bettendorf, Iowa, roughly 85 miles away from LaSalle, police said.

As Bettendorf officers approached the vehicle, they heard a gun shot and found Wendling shot dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Family members told The Detroit News that Bryant lived with Wendling in a Grand Blanc Township apartment after a relationship began 11 months ago, but her mother and sister helped her move out of the apartment in September after Bryant told them that Wendling was abusing her for months.

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Or text to 741-741.