A Mount Pleasant man, who could be connected to a missing woman case in the southeast Iowa city, is now dead after a high speed chase in Illinois. Authorities say 24-year-old Benjamin Biggs was found dead from a gunshot wound in a house near Kingston, Illinois Wednesday night, though authorities in Quincy say the investigation has not determined if that wound was self-inflicted or the result of an exchange of gunfire.
According to several published reports, Biggs is also believed to be the last person seen with 24-year-old Jackie Douthart, whose been missing since May 22.The standoff on Wednesday began when Biggs stole an S-U-V.
When police attempted to stop the vehicle, gun shots were fired, and one of the officers was struck in the gun belt. He was not injured. Biggs then led police to to a farm service lot near Kingston, where he fled on foot and hid in a nearby building. He then shot another officer in the chest, but he too was not seriously injured due to a protective vest.
After another standoff that last nearly six hours, Biggs was found dead. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
By Michael Cation, KBUR, Burlington