LPD: Missing woman found safe in Lincoln, suspect in custody after hours-long search

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A missing woman was found safe Thursday night after a domestic incident involving an “armed and dangerous” man, police say.

At around 11:30 p.m., Police Chief Michon Morrow announced that LPD’s SWAT team had entered a home near First and Adams streets.

When the SWAT team entered, they noticed a “heavy odor of natural gas,” according to Morrow.

The team quickly removed Jesserae Beck, 42 and Christopher Collins, 36, from the home.  Beck was taken to a hospital and Collins was taken into custody.

Crews from Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Black Hills Energy arrived to clear the area of gas.  That area has now been deemed safe.

“Today was a true show of the grit and determination of the officers and investigators at the Lincoln Police Department,” Morrow said.

The incident started on Wednesday at around 10 p.m. when Beck told one of her children she was going to Collins’ home near 95th Street and Eagleton Lane.

At around 8 a.m. the next morning, two of Beck’s children went to the home looking for their mother.  When they couldn’t find her, they called the police.

Officers were familiar with Beck, as they had been investigating previous allegations of domestic assault and a violation of a protection order, Morrow said.

The two had been in a relationship, and Beck had a protection order granted last month, according to police.

The SWAT team entered Collins’ home and found a “significant scene.”  Morrow noted that it appeared there was a struggle and Beck was “likely seriously injured.”

This began a search for Collins, who police said was believed to be “armed and dangerous,” and Beck, which led them to the home near First and Adams streets.

According to booking records, Collins is facing several charges, including first-degree domestic assault, first-degree false imprisonment and kidnapping.