Rape suspect kills himself at parents' home

ANTWERP, Ohio (AP) -- Authorities say a rape suspect who overpowered a sheriff's deputy in northwest Ohio to escape a transport van has killed himself during a police standoff, ending a manhunt.

Paulding County authorities say 32-year-old Branden Lee Powell shot himself Monday night at his parents' home near Antwerp, southwest of Toledo.

Authorities say Powell was in a crawl space and shot himself as officers were trying to persuade him to surrender.

Investigators say Powell had stolen a gun from a deputy he overpowered during a Friday trip from a psychiatric hospital to jail.

Powell jumped over a seat wearing leg shackles and handcuffs and put the deputy in a headlock, causing the van to crash. 

Authorities say Powell forced the deputy to remove the restraints.

(Photo courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office)


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