4th Victim of Alleged Killer William Boyette Dies; Suspect Found Dead, Accomplice Captured
William "Billy" Boyette is dead, authorities said.
— -- A fourth victim of an alleged killer William "Billy" Boyette has died, officials announced Tuesday, shortly after the suspected gunman was found dead after a week-long manhunt and his alleged accomplice was captured.
The duo was on the run and considered armed and dangerous after the shooting deaths of three women in Florida and Alabama. A fourth woman, who was shot when Boyette allegedly broke into her home, died, police announced Tuesday.
The Escambia County, Florida, Sheriff's Office tweeted this evening that Boyette is dead and Rice has been captured. Boyette is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Escambia County Sheriff's Office did not immediately provide additional details, but about 30 minutes earlier the Troup County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office said it appeared that the pair were holed up inside a motel in West Point, Georgia, near the Alabama border. The sheriff's office said that once it received word that Boyette and Rice were inside the motel, authorities surrounded the area.
The first reported crime was on Jan. 31, in Santa Rosa County, Florida, when Alicia Greer, 30, and Jacqueline Moore, 39, were found shot to death at an inn, Morgan said.
Greer, a mother of three, was allegedly in an abusive relationship with Boyette, the victim's father told ABC affiliate WEAR in Pensacola. Authorities said the other victims don't appear to have any connection to Boyette.
On Feb. 3, in nearby Baldwin County, Alabama, 52-year-old Peggy Broz was discovered shot to death in her driveway, Morgan said. Officials said today that Boyette and his alleged accomplice, Mary Rice, were believed to be involved in the fatal shooting. According to The AP, investigators said the duo then stole Broz's car.
On Feb. 6, in Escambia County, Florida, 28-year-old Kayla Crocker was shot and critically wounded during a home invasion, the AP said. Her white Chevrolet Cobalt was stolen, and Morgan said that video surveillance showed that Boyette and Rice took the car.
On Tuesday night, officials said Crocker died.
Rice was initially considered a person of interest in the shootings, but "on Monday she was upgraded to an official suspect," The AP reported. According to The AP, officials said Rice had "multiple chances to flee or ask for help."
Sheriff Bob Johnson of Santa Rosa County, Florida, said this morning there is no doubt Rice was a "willing participant" in the crimes. He added then that "it's just a matter of time" before Boyette is caught.
"Sooner or later, he's going to make a mistake, and when he does, we're going to pounce on him," Johnson said.
"Hopefully, we can get to him before he does anything stupid again."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.