LPD: Missing woman found, suspect in custody after hours-long search
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A missing woman has been found after an hours-long search for her and a man Lincoln police described as “armed and dangerous” on Thursday.
Lincoln Police said late Thursday night that Jesserae Beck, 42, was found inside a home near 1st and Adams Streets with 36-year-old Christopher Collins.
Lincoln Police chief Michon Morrow said the LPD Swat team made entry into the home with help from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol.
When officers arrived at the home there was a heavy odor of natural gas. Morrow said they quickly removed Beck and Collins from the home and evacuated the area, including surrounding houses.
Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Black Hills Energy later arrived to clear the area of gas. It has now been deemed safe.
Morrow said Beck is now at a local hospital while Collins is in custody.
“Today was a true show of the grit and determination of the officers and investigators at the Lincoln Police Department,” Morrow said.
This incident started Wednesday night at around 10 p.m.
Police said Beck left her home and told one of her children she was going to Collins’ home near 95th Street and Eagleton Lane.
Officers were familiar with Beck, as they had been investigating previous allegations of domestic assault and a violation of a protection order, Morrow said.
Beck’s children were unable to find her, and the SWAT team was called in to make entry inside the home at around 8 a.m. on Thursday.
The SWAT team did not find Collins or Beck. Instead, Morrow said they found a “significant scene” inside the home.
Investigators noted that there had appeared to be a struggle and Beck was “likely seriously injured.”
Collins and Beck were in a relationship and a protection order had been granted last month, Morrow said.
Morrow thanked other agencies for their assistance in finding both Beck and Collins.
“They worked fast and furious today, developing information through their investigative means,” Morrow said.
