Police: Man kidnaps, kills wife in woods

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By Beth Boehne

FERRY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A man dressed in camouflage and armed with a shotgun and a knife kidnapped his wife from her parents' home and killed her before taking his own life, the Oceana County sheriff's department said Friday.

Deputies were withholding the names of the 41-year-old man and the 28-year-old woman, pending family notification.

Police told the Ludington Daily News and WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that the kidnapping happened just after 8 p.m. Thursday at the home in Ferry Township, near Hesperia. They said the man broke into the home, forced his estranged wife to accompany him into some nearby woods and then shot her.

Her body was found about three hours later, Ludington radio station WKLA reported.

Law-enforcement officers from several agencies patrolled the area overnight, searching for the man. The county's emergency dispatch center put out automated calls to area residents, warning them of the manhunt.

The search ended not far from the home around 7:30 a.m. Friday, when the suspect was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Ferry Township is about 50 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 9:10 PM Keeps Happening wrote ...

Well said, Anonymous. I completely agree. We all should remember this in our dealings with anyone who is acting unusual concerning domestic issues, job loss/firing, eviction, breakups, and the like. We just have to keep alert, pay attention, and consider that they might be about to blow and do something.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 11:39 AM Keeps Happening wrote ...

Well, here we go again. Once again, a "troubled" individual kills another person, his own wife, and then himself. Maybe the family of this NUTJOB should be held accountable. People, if you have an UNSTABLE relative, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for him/her. That's the way it was in the past. We've become all soft and touchy-feely in society... and FEAR keeps us from stepping in BEFORE bad things happen. This is a sad, old, over-told story. Folks, keep watch over your NUTJOBS! That poor girl!

Saturday, Jul 19 at 7:58 PM Connie wrote ...

My heart goes out to the parents, and any other friends or family. Losing a loved one is hard enough without all the terror and shock of a crime like this. Too bad no one realized how troubled he was before he lost all control.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 1:17 PM tom branstetter wrote ...

At least he killed himself, saves someone else the trouble. I truly feel sorry for the wife.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 9:01 AM David wrote ...

TO: WHY GET MARRIED ANYWAY: you are absolutely right, why does marriage end if divorce or murder!!?!? GOOD POINT MY FRIEND!?

Friday, Jul 18 at 7:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

One dangerous trait of the, "troubled" is that they're very dead certain of their views.

Friday, Jul 18 at 4:32 PM Why get married anyway? wrote ...

A tragic end to another marriage. He did a terrible thing, but at least he lived up to "until death do us part". Sad that marriage has been reduced to divorce or murder.

Friday, Jul 18 at 4:12 PM PM wrote ...

Read the article people, the suspect is dead. He is not a danger any longer.

Friday, Jul 18 at 4:05 PM Duh!! wrote ...

The search ended not far from the home around 7:30 a.m. Friday, when the suspect was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Friday, Jul 18 at 12:47 PM Lainey wrote ...

Hello??? We'd all like to know who the he** to watch for! Why are we not naming names???

Friday, Jul 18 at 11:54 AM Wayne wrote ...

Well "??" it appears they want to give him a head start before they want anyone spotting him!

Friday, Jul 18 at 10:08 AM Well ?? wrote ...

So who's the suspect?? let the community help find him...

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