A University of Michigan-Flint nursing student was fatally shot in a murder-suicide after being kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend, who was a resident doctor, police said.
Gina Bryant, 25, was fatally shot at a truck stop in LaSalle, Illinois, by her ex-boyfriend, Justin Wendling, 26, who later killed himself hundreds of miles away in Iowa, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Police said Bryant was last seen on Oct. 12 by co-workers who grew concerned when she did not return after going home for her lunch break. They then began receiving “odd text messages” from her phone, authorities said.
A neighbor’s surveillance footage showed Wendling had entered Bryant’s home and was waiting for her when she returned home for lunch, then captured him leading her to his car, authorities said.
The next day, Wendling called his parents and told them he had killed Bryant and was going to kill himself, authorities said. The parents called law enforcement, who then found Bryant’s body at the truck stop in LaSalle. Surveillance footage and witnesses confirmed that Wendling had shot and killed her before fleeing.
Wendling’s vehicle was later located in Bettendorf, Iowa. As local police approached his car, he shot and killed himself, authorities said.
“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 said in the statement. “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 mother and sister said that she and Wendling had been in a relationship for about 11 months and moved in together, but Bryant moved out at the end of September and told them that he had been abusing her.
“She was very beautiful, down-to-earth, giving woman,” Bryant’s sister told 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 family have also posted on social media honoring the aspiring nurse’s legacy by sharing memories and heartfelt words.
“Your smile and hugs were so welcoming to us always,” one friend 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 email to students in Bryant’s cohort and faculty sent by Cynthia McCurren, the Dean of University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Nursing, Bryant was in her senior year and enrolled in the school’s accelerated BSN program.
“There are truly no words to fully capture the anguish that losses like this cause our community,” McCurren said. “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 a statement to HuffPost, Ascension Genesys Hospital, where Wendling was an obstetrics and gynecology resident, said it was fully cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation.
“Ascension Genesys Hospital has recently learned of the death of one of our residents,” the statement read. “Emotional and spiritual support services are being offered to staff and providers during this difficult time.”
CORRECTION: This article initially stated Gina Bryant was killed in Michigan; she was killed in Illinois, according to authorities.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.