The two-week search for Joseph James Pappas, suspected in the fatal shooting of a renowned Houston cardiologist, ended Aug. 3 after the suspect died of apparent suicide, ABC 13 reports.
Mark Hausknecht, MD, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist Hospital was shot dead the morning of July 20 while riding his bike to work. Authorities, who pored over surveillance footage hundreds of times, pleaded with the public for information to help them solve the case. On July 30, a tip came in that led police to Mr. Pappas.
The mother of Mr. Pappas was a patient of Dr. Hausknecht. Mr. Pappas' mother died during a surgery that Dr. Hausknecht performed 20 years ago.
"It appears that this may be a 20-year-old grudge that this man held," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told CNN.
Mr. Acevedo said a Houston Parks Board employee called police after the worker spotted Mr. Pappas near a senior care center. When an officer arrived to the location, Mr. Pappas had body armor on and a gun in his hand. He refused to comply with the officer's demands and as a second officer approached, Mr. Pappas killed himself with a single gunshot to the head, according to ABC 13.
"The potential threat to the city from an accused murderer considered armed and dangerous is now over, closing another chapter of this horrific tragedy," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, according to ABC 13.
New details surrounding the case came to light after Mr. Pappas' apparent suicide the morning of Aug. 3. Surveillance cameras captured Mr. Pappas stalking the victim at least five times since early July. A search of Mr. Pappas' home revealed an extensive intelligence file on Dr. Hausknecht, according to ABC 13.
Georgia Hsieh, MD, the wife of Dr. Hausknecht, issued the following statement:
"I echo the sentiments of Houston Police Department Chief Acevedo this morning in thanking the numerous departments, communities, and individuals involved whose teamwork and cooperation led to the rapid resolution of this case. Media's role in keeping the public informed is also acknowledged. The family can never adequately thank our friends and neighbors who have loved and supported us. I am most grateful, however, for the many wonderful years our family shared together."