A 25-year-old University of Michigan-Flint student was killed by her ex-boyfriend in a suicide attempt last week, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Gina Bryant, a University of Michigan-Flint nursing student from Macomb, was reported missing after she failed to return to work after her lunch break on Thursday, Oct. 12, the Sheriff’s Office said, adding Her co-workers acted strangely after receiving text messages from her phone. Investigators suspect Bryant was with her ex-boyfriend, Justin Wendling, a 26-year-old man from Holly, Grand Blanc Township ) works at Ascension Genesys Hospital.

The investigation revealed Wendelin was waiting at the home when Bryant returned for lunch, the Sheriff’s Office said, adding that neighbor surveillance video showed Wendelin walking Bryant to his car at 1:42 p.m. Thursday, October 12.

At 7:43 p.m., the LaSalle, Illinois Police Department responded to the Flying J Truck Stop following a report of a female shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Bryant, who died from a gunshot wound to the head, police said.

Police launched an investigation into the murder. LaSalle Police Chief Michael Smudzinski said investigators identified the suspect as Wendling and his vehicle through witness interviews, evidence and video.

The investigation revealed that Wendelin pulled into the rest stop, got out and locked the door, preparing to go in and prepay for gas. Bryant got out of the car and tried to run away, Smuzinski said, adding that Wendling saw her running away, so he left the gas station, threw her to the ground, shot her and fled the scene.

Investigators found handcuffs in Wendling’s car and suspected Bryant was handcuffed. After escaping the gas station, Wendling called his mother and told her he killed his ex-girlfriend and that he would not go to jail because he would kill himself, Smuzinski said, adding that his mother notified police his whereabouts.

Smutzinski said Wendling fled to Bettendorf, Iowa, where he shot himself when police approached his vehicle. Cynthia McCurren, dean of the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing, said in a letter to U-M-Flint nursing students that she was heartbroken when she heard the news.

“There are truly no words to fully describe the heartache such a loss brings to our community. Gina was an extraordinary young woman who had so much more to come. Personally, I find it difficult to comprehend this horrific news. , I imagine many of you will be too,” McCarron said.