A University of Michigan-Flint nursing scholar was fatally shot in a murder-suicide after being kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend, who was a resident physician, police mentioned.
Gina Bryant, 25, was fatally shot at a truck cease in LaSalle, Michigan, by her ex-boyfriend, Justin Wendling, 26, who later killed himself tons of of miles away in Iowa, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office mentioned in a press launch.
Police mentioned Bryant was final seen on Oct. 12 by co-workers who grew involved when she didn’t return after going house for her lunch break. They then started receiving “odd text messages” from her cellphone, authorities mentioned.
A neighbor’s surveillance footage confirmed Wendling had entered Bryant’s house and was ready for her when she returned house for lunch, then captured him main her to his automobile, authorities mentioned.
The subsequent day, Wendling referred to as his dad and mom and instructed them he had killed Bryant and was going to kill himself, authorities mentioned. The dad and mom referred to as regulation enforcement, who then discovered Bryant’s physique on the truck cease in LaSalle. Surveillance footage and witnesses confirmed that Wendling had shot and killed her earlier than fleeing.
Wendling’s car was later positioned in Bettendorf, Iowa. As native police approached his automobile, he shot and killed himself, authorities mentioned.
“Unfortunately, the MCSO is seeing an uptick of Domestic Violence cases. These incidents are tragic not only to the victims & survivors, but to family members as well,” Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham mentioned within the assertion. “Please, if you or someone you know is in an unsafe situation, do not hesitate to reach out.”
Speaking to The Detroit News, Bryant’s mom and sister mentioned that she and Wendling had been in a relationship for about 11 months and moved in collectively, however Bryant moved out on the finish of September and instructed them that he been abusing her.
“She was very beautiful, down-to-earth, giving woman,” Bryant’s sister instructed the outlet. “She could brighten up a day with just her smile. She’d give you the shirt off your back. She was caring and compassionate.”
Friends and household have additionally posted on social media honoring the aspiring nurse’s legacy by sharing reminiscences and heartfelt phrases.
“Your smile and hugs were so welcoming to us always,” one pal wrote. “We loved hearing you join in the laughter with us when we laughed at Nonas goofiness or just the craziness of our get togethers.”
According to an e mail to college students in Bryant’s cohort and college despatched by Cynthia McCurren the Dean of University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Nursing, Bryant was in her senior yr and enrolled within the faculties accelerated BSN program.
“There are truly no words to fully capture the anguish that losses like this cause our community,” McCurren mentioned. “Gina was an extraordinary young woman with much ahead of her. I am personally struggling to make sense of this horrible news as I imagine many of you will be doing as well.”
In an announcement to HuffPost, Ascension Genesys Hospital, the place Wendling was an obstetrics and gynecology resident, mentioned it was totally cooperating with regulation enforcement throughout the investigation.
“Ascension Genesys Hospital has recently learned of the death of one of our residents,” the assertion learn. “Emotional and spiritual support services are being offered to staff and providers during this difficult time.”
Need assist? In the U.S., name 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
