Dawn Allen

A man sought as a witness in the disappearance of a Carroll woman killed himself last night  while running from authorities in Kansas. Authorities say 54-year-old James Snovelle of Rolfe was wanted for questioning in the disappearance of 50-year-old Dawn Allen.

Carroll Police Chief Jeff Cayler says investigators knew Snovelle had ties to Coffey County, Kansas.

 He contacted Kansas officers – who found Snovelle’s vehicle in a rural, wooded area around 6 p.m Monday. A short time later, they found Snovelle, who took off on foot and began crossing a stream.

As officers gave chase, Snovelle pulled out a gun and shot himself. His suicide raises more questions about Allen’s whereabouts.

“From what we are told by family members, Mr. Snovelle is a relatively recent friend of hers,” Cayler said. “They met in December and have had a casual dating relationship since that time.”

Allen was last seen on the night of May 4. Her cell phone has been turned off and her vehicle was found in the parking lot of a local restaurant. “The last time her (cell phone) was active was Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 a.m. That’s when it was powered down and it has not been turned on again since,” Cayler said. “A search of the vehicle really did not reveal anything that would explain her absence.”

Allen had been at the restaurant, The Piranha Club, by herself. Cayler says restaurant employees reported the parking lot was empty at the time they closed the business last Wednesday night, so Allen’s vehicle was parked there sometime later. Authorities are now searching the wooded area in Kansas where Snovelle was located.

“Obviously, with each day that passes since her absence, we become more and more concerned,” Cayler said. “We fear the worst, but we’re holding out hold that she is alive and well…we just need to figure out where she is.” Allen has worked at a Subway restaurant in Carroll for 21 years. Her boss called police last Thursday to report her disappearance.