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Jenifer M. Goertzen, 28, of Morton, was found murdered yesterday at a hotel in St. Louis.
Her ex-boyfriend, a suspect in her murder, was located last night in Creve Coeur where he took his life, according to Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard.
“She left home with her ex-boyfriend, Robert Fuller, on Oct. 15 en-route to St. Louis,” Hilliard said.
The East Peoria Police had no comment on Fuller, 34, of East Peoria.
Goertzen was reported missing at 8:50 a.m. Thursday by her mother at the Morton Police station. Morton Police put Goertzen on the NCIC database. Shortly afterward the Morton Police were contacted by the St. Louis Police. St. Louis authorities told the Morton Police they believed they had found Goertzen’s body in a hotel room bathtub.
Hilliard said Fuller was a person of interest in the case because he and his ex-girlfriend had an abusive relationship in the past.
“They had gone to St. Louis to look for housing for Jenifer because she was going to start college down there,” Hilliard said.
The pair were expected to return on Wednesday. When they did not Goertzen’s mother reportedly became worried.
Hilliard said authorities locally were on the lookout for Fuller’s vehicle.
“When Jenifer left we had a vehicle description. The vehicle was reportedly seen in the parking lot of the Ragon Hotel,” Hilliard said.
Creve Coeur Police were then called at 7:11 p.m. to Room 29 of the hotel on a report of a suicidal person armed with a weapon.
At 7:47 p.m. the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT) was activated, including a negotiator.
At 7:52 p.m. phone contact was lost between Fuller and a family member. The negotiator attempted for more than three hours to make contact with Fuller to no avail.
At 11:46 p.m. a camera was deployed imto the room. Police saw Fuller moving between two rooms.
At 11:47 p.m. a single gunshot was heard. At 12:02 a.m. the suspect was seen going into the bathroom. Shortly after two more gunshots were heard. Fuller was found dead shortly after.
Jenifer M. Goertzen, 28, of Morton, was found murdered yesterday at a hotel in St. Louis.
Her ex-boyfriend, a suspect in her murder, was located last night in Creve Coeur where he took his life, according to Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard.
“She left home with her ex-boyfriend, Robert Fuller, on Oct. 15 en-route to St. Louis,” Hilliard said.
The East Peoria Police had no comment on Fuller, 34, of East Peoria.
Goertzen was reported missing at 8:50 a.m. Thursday by her mother at the Morton Police station. Morton Police put Goertzen on the NCIC database. Shortly afterward the Morton Police were contacted by the St. Louis Police. St. Louis authorities told the Morton Police they believed they had found Goertzen’s body in a hotel room bathtub.
Hilliard said Fuller was a person of interest in the case because he and his ex-girlfriend had an abusive relationship in the past.
“They had gone to St. Louis to look for housing for Jenifer because she was going to start college down there,” Hilliard said.
The pair were expected to return on Wednesday. When they did not Goertzen’s mother reportedly became worried.
Hilliard said authorities locally were on the lookout for Fuller’s vehicle.
“When Jenifer left we had a vehicle description. The vehicle was reportedly seen in the parking lot of the Ragon Hotel,” Hilliard said.
Creve Coeur Police were then called at 7:11 p.m. to Room 29 of the hotel on a report of a suicidal person armed with a weapon.
At 7:47 p.m. the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT) was activated, including a negotiator.
At 7:52 p.m. phone contact was lost between Fuller and a family member. The negotiator attempted for more than three hours to make contact with Fuller to no avail.
At 11:46 p.m. a camera was deployed imto the room. Police saw Fuller moving between two rooms.
At 11:47 p.m. a single gunshot was heard. At 12:02 a.m. the suspect was seen going into the bathroom. Shortly after two more gunshots were heard. Fuller was found dead shortly after.
