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Vermont Murder Suspect, Once Traced To Mass., Believed Dead in Kansas

WINDSOR, Vt. (AP) — Authorities say a Vermont murder suspect is believed to have died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a high-speed chase in Kansas.

Vermont State Police say 27-year-old Jason Kendall was wanted on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 22-year-old Molly Helland on Monday in Windsor.

Jason Kendall
Jason Kendall. (Photo credit: Vermont State Police)

On Wednesday, the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description of Kendall's car, with stolen Massachusetts license plates.

When troopers tried to pull the vehicle over, they say the driver sped off, leading them on a high-speed chase.

It ended when the car crashed.

When troopers approached the vehicle, they found the driver dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The man's identification is pending an autopsy, but authorities say his physical description is consistent with that of Jason Kendall.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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