HOUSTON (WBAP/KLIF News) – The man accused of shooting death President George H.W. Bush’s former doctor has been found dead.
Houston Police said Joseph Pappas killed himself when confronted by police Friday morning.
Chief Art Acevedo said a parks board employee called police around 9:30 a.m. after he spotted a man he believed to be Pappas sitting in an area that is typically monitored for graffiti vandals.
The tipster told investigators that when he approached, Pappas walked away from him with his arms raised but left his wallet behind.
When officers arrived, Pappas was wearing a bullet-proof vest and holding a partially concealed gun in his right hand.
Acevedo said Pappas refused the officer’s orders to show his hand and when the second officer approached, Pappas shot himself in the head.
Pappas had been the subject of an intense manhunt since the July 20th murder of Dr. Mark Hausknecht, who was shot while riding his bicycle to work at Houston Methodist Hospital.
During the investigation, police released surveillance video in the hopes of catching their killer.
One tip of a potential sighting at Pappas’ home sparked a search late Thursday, but officers later deemed the sighting to be a false alarm.
Investigators said a possible motive might have been that murder was the result of a 20-year grudge held by Pappas.
In 1997, Dr. Hausknecht operated on Pappas’ mother and she died during the procedure.
Pappas had 30 years of experience in law enforcement and was said to be a skilled shooter.
Police had asked the public to regard him as armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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