Killer who murdered George H.W. Bush's cardiologist, as revenge for his mother's death on the operating table 20 years ago, commits suicide
The man suspected of killing George H.W. Bush's cardiologist has committed suicide as police closed in on him.
Joseph James Pappas, 62, was wanted by police for the murder of Dr Mark Hausknecht in Houston, Texas on July 20. It is believed he killed the renowned cardiologist in revenge for the operating-room death of his mother in 1997.
Pappas shot himself in the head on Friday morning in Houston as cops surrounded him near the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail, Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
Responding to a 911 call from a witness, police found Pappas walking near Bob White Drive and Imogene Street, about 3.5 miles from Pappas' home, shortly after 9.30am on Friday. Pappas was wearing body armor and refused to show his right hand when ordered to by the first officer on the scene, Acevedo said.
As multiple officers surrounded Pappas, he produced a firearm and shot himself in the head, Acevedo said.
The suicide brought to a conclusion a massive manhunt for Pappas, a former police officer who was well trained in the use of firearms and said to be an excellent marksman.
Pappas had allegedly been plotting to kill Dr Hausknecht since the death of his mother, Julia Alice Walker, while in Dr Hausknecht's care in April 1997 at the age of 69.
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