The suspect in the deaths of a couple, their two young children, and three dogs inside their suburban Chicago house died from a gunshot wound Wednesday after wrecking his car in a blazing blaze while fleeing police.
Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, was attempting to evade cops in Catoosa, Oklahoma, 650 miles from the scene of a horrific murder three days earlier.
The gunman was accompanied by an unidentified missing female.
Chasing authorities discovered the duo with a single gunshot wound each — Huey’s was deadly, while the lady was transported to a hospital in critical condition, according to the Romeoville Police Department.
Within hours of the bodies of Alberto Rolon, 38, and his mother Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, being discovered, both were labeled people of interest.
The family — and their three pets — were all fatally shot in what police said was “not a random incident.”
“Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspects and the victims as well as possible motives,” Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference.
Investigators did not disclose any theories on what led up to the tragic murders, but previously said there was a “tremendous amount of physical evidence.”
The family of four was killed between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday, shocking the tranquil hamlet that was left wondering why they hadn’t heard any gunshots. Concerned family members contacted police when one of the victims failed to arrive at work at 6 a.m. on Sunday and did not respond to messages.
Following the identification of Huey and the unknown woman that night, police issued a Statewide alert outlining his description as well as one for his vehicle.
Her relatives reported her missing on Tuesday.
Catoosa police picked up his license plate Wednesday morning and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Huey “immediately attempted to elude the officers,” but crashed his car, causing it to erupt in flames, Romeoville police said.
“Officers on scene heard two noises, believed to be gunshots,” according to the department.
It is not clear who pulled the trigger.
Police said there is no reason to believe there are other suspects.
Investigators will keep working on the investigation, which Burne previously described as the department’s “top priority.”
According to loved ones, the family had only recently moved into the Romeoville home in April.
Valley View School District Superintendent Rachel Kinder noted in a statement to the community that the two children were both pupils at RC Hill Elementary School.
“These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away,” a GoFundMe page stated.
“In just a few hours their lives, their family’s lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.”
