Ex-Boyfriend Linked to Missing Minn. Woman’s Disappearance Fatally Shoots Self
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Facebook(EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.) — A man police wanted to question about the disappearance of a Minnesota woman died before they could talk to him after he fatally shot himself in the head, according to the county medical examiner.
David Roe’s Death was confirmed by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office. Authorities have said they believe Roe, 24, of Victoria, Minn., was with Mandy Matula, of Eden Prairie, Minn., before she was reported missing Thursday morning, according to a news release.
Roe was identified by police as a person of interest in Matula’s disappearance and had agreed to speak with investigators, according to the news release. But before he could be questioned, Roe shot himself in the head in the parking lot of the Eden Prairie City Center at approximately 1:30 p.m. Thursday. He was then transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Roe died on Saturday. The details of his death could not be confirmed. His condition before his death was unknown.
Matula’s family last saw her on Wednesday at 11 p.m. They reported the 24-year-old missing around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday after she did not show up for work at the city’s park maintenance division, ABC Minneapolis affiliate KSTP-TV reported.
According to the news release, police believe Roe was with Matula at a local park at approximately 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
Matula’s brother, Steven Matula, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that his sister and Roe had been dating on and off for several months. They both graduated from Eden Prairie High School in 2007.
KSTP reported that Roe left a note on his car’s dashboard before he shot himself, but police would not disclose its contents.
Matula’s mother, Lisa Matula, declined to speak to ABC News.
Meanwhile, a group of people casing the city for clues in Matula’s disappearance today uncovered an unfired piece of ammunition near Victory Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., police spokeswoman Katie Bengston told ABC News.
Authorities cordoned off an area surrounding the church to further investigate, Bengston said.
“[Police] are going to take a look at it, and look at any markings [on the bullet] to determine what specific weapon it might have come from,” said Bengston.
The community has rallied around Mandy Matula’s family since her disappearance, organizing search efforts independent of law enforcement officials to assist in finding the 24-year-old.
The group that found the bullet was unaffiliated with the authorities’ organized search, Bengston said.
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