SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating a double murder in southwest Kansas have a suspect in custody.
Just before 1 a.m. Monday, crews responded to a house fire in the 900 block of Maple Street in Liberal, according to a media release.
Officers found a woman inside the door who was unconscious. EMS transported her to Southwest Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Once the fire was extinguished, the fire department found a man who was also dead inside.
Just before 6a.m. Monday, law enforcement learned of a suspect in the crime was driving a Kia Optima southbound on U.S. 83 ten miles north of Hamlin, Texas. According to police, the suspect was threatening "suicide by cop."
Officers conducted a "high risk felony stop" on the vehicle after it traveled south of the Hamlin city limits. The driver identified as 22-year-old Hector Jesus Rey hesitated at first but finally exited the car and was taken into custody. He is being held in the Jones County Jail in connection with the death of two family member, according Police Chief Bobby Evans who spoke to detectives in Kansas. Investigators were expected in Jones County late Monday to interview Rey and collect evidence that had been secured, according to Evans.