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Suspect In Chase Apparently Shot Herself, Was Wanted For Killing Ex-Husband

BRIGHTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A homicide suspect described as "armed and dangerous" wanted out of Mesa County was found dead Wednesday morning after a police pursuit In Weld County that ended in a crash.

The female suspect, driving a red pickup, led police on a chase that began in Greeley and then ended in a crash north of Brighton on Highway 85. Police said the suspect was armed.

weld county crash
Copter4 flew over a pursuit of a homicide suspect that ended in a crash in Weld County (credit: CBS)

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the suspect in the pursuit and crash was Barbara Blanton-Marez. Blanton-Marez escaped from Mesa County Community Corrections on Friday. She is connected to the suspicious death of her ex-husband, Lawrence Marez, who was found dead in Mesa County on Monday. The victim's death has been ruled a homicide.

Barbara Blanton-Marez
Barbara Blanton-Marez (credit: Mesa County Sheriff)

Wednesday morning Greeley police located the suspect vehicle that was connected to the Mesa County homicide in the 300 block of 35th Avenue in Greeley. When officers attempted to contact the possible suspect inside, now identified as Blanton-Marez, the pursuit began. She made her way to Highway 85 and then went southbound to Brighton until the crash.

"The suspect struck one of our police vehicles and then ended up on the intersection," Cmdr. Frank Acosta with Brighton police told CBS4.

Multiple jurisdictions were involved in the pursuit including the Colorado State Patrol, Weld County Sheriff's Office and several local jurisdictions along Highway 85.

Blanton-Marez reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour and crossed over into oncoming traffic on multiple occasions. Officers attempted to place stop sticks at various locations without success.

brighton police crash
Copter4 flew over the pursuit crash scene (credit: CBS)

Greeley Police Chief Jerry Garner said Blanton-Marez apparently shot herself as officers surrounded the truck, according to the Greeley Tribune.

One police officer was injured in the pursuit. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Blanton-Marez walked away from a halfway house on Friday while serving a three-year sentence for felony menacing, according to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.

weld co chase
Copter4 flew over a pursuit of a homicide suspect that ended in a crash in Weld County (credit: CBS)

Highway 85 had to be closed north of Brighton at Weld County Road 2 where the crash happened for the investigation. That was causing major backups on the highway for commuters between Greeley and Brighton. It was reopened just after 5:30 p.m.

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