Downstate man suspected in kidnapping kills suicide

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Authorities in East Peoria say a man suspected of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and driving her through a number of Illinois counties killed himself in Champaign hours later.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports that Alex Cobb shot himself outside his son's house Friday afternoon, several hours after he spotted Michelle Fearson outside her East Peoria home, and forced her into her vehicle.

A neighbor who heard Fearson call for help, telephoned police. A few hours later, police determined that the 64-year-old Cobb had a son in Champaign. Police went to the house and found Cobb had already shot himself. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Fearson was not injured.