3-day manhunt ends in suicide of suspected rapist

By Jennifer Cruz

Branden Powell eluded authorities for three days after his escape during a prison transport. (Photo: Paulding County Sheriff’s Office)
Following a more than 72 hour manhunt, an Ohio inmate accused of rape who escaped during a prison transport last week was found at his parents’ home in Antwerp on Monday, when he chose to take his own life rather than be taken into custody.
“While this is not the outcome law enforcement had hoped for, law enforcement hopes the community can rest knowing this armed and dangerous individual is no longer a danger to the community,” Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers said in a statement provided to local media.
Acting on information gathered during the investigation, multiple law enforcement agencies went to the home around 6 p.m. in an attempt to apprehend 32-year-old Branden Powell. Powell was found in the crawl space of his parents’ home and multiple attempts were made to bring him out and place him in custody, but Powell refused to comply.
Around 9:30 p.m., Powell suffered a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Because the investigation is ongoing, authorities did not provide further details surrounding Powell’s death.
Powell, who was arrested last month on rape and sexual battery charges, became the subject of a multi-agency

Source: Guns.com