The boyfriend of a missing model from Macedonia who killed himself during a police chase Thursday night has been identified, officials said.
Chris Spotz, a 33-year-old aspiring actor, was identified by Riverside County Sheriff's officials as the man who led authorities on a chase from Hesperia to Corona in a stolen Toyota Tacoma. He fatally shot himself at the end of the pursuit.
Spotz had just returned to Southern California from Colorado where he was with his fiancee.
Authorities discovered the vehicle had possibly been used in a homicide that had occurred in Los Angeles County, CHP Public Information Officer Dan Olivas. Details about the case were not immediately available.
Two spike strips were deployed but the driver was able to continue evading and transitioned to the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway.
The suspect got off the freeway at Green River Road and came to a stop on Rio Vista Street, south of the 91 freeway, Olivas said.
As officers attempted a felony traffic stop, the driver shot himself with a handgun and died at the scene, Olivas said.
Police Chases
Video from Southern California's police pursuits and follow-ups on what happened after the chase
No other injuries were reported and details about the murder attributed to the suspect were not immediately available.
Earlier this month the family of 25-year-old Adea Shabani offered a $25,000 reward Monday for information leading to the aspiring model and actress from Macedonia. She was last seen about 11 a.m. Feb. 23, near the 1700 block of Wilcox Avenue, between Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue, near her home, police said.
Shabani has been in Los Angeles less than two years, according to her worried friends.
Her family has hired private investigator Jayden Brant to help find her. He told City News Service his investigators are actively searching.
City News Service contributed to this report.
