Police: Body found ID’d as suspect in Spencerport abduction case
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SPENCERPORT, N.Y. (WHEC) — Police Wednesday afternoon confirmed the body found during the search for the suspect in the abduction of a Spencerport woman that happened Tuesday night is the suspect, Paul Collen.
Ogden Police Chief Chris Mears says Collen was found dead behind a home on Ogden Parma Townline Road Wednesday morning. He says Collen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Though the body was identified, Mears says the investigation is still ongoing.
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Police were spending the morning searching for Collen, who they say abducted the woman from an apartment around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday night. Mears said early Wednesday, the woman, who had a relationship with Collen, showed up at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office C-Zone substation on Union Street around 5:30 a.m.
The search for Collen shut down several blocks around the area of Ogden Parma Townline Road near Manitou Road. While Mears did not confirm the body was Collen, he said the situation is no longer considered to be a threat to the community, and the roads are reopened.
BREAKING: Chief Mears says they have located a deceased male with what they believe is a self inflicted gunshot wound. Mears says the body was found in the backyard behind a neighbors home. They are waiting for a positive ID. @news10nbc https://t.co/HU5O6E1FkC
— Raven Tiara Brown (@WHEC_RBrown) October 20, 2021
CONTINUING COVERAGE: Medical examiner backing into the driveway to recover the body. Full details can be found here: https://t.co/yfgiHgYYB8 @news10nbc pic.twitter.com/09oz0ZUSeU
— Raven Tiara Brown (@WHEC_RBrown) October 20, 2021
Police initially said Collen had guns on him and was considered dangerous. Nearby, Taylor Elementary School announced it would open on a two-hour delay due to the investigation.
You can view Mears’ update in the player below. Mobile users can click here.
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As for the woman he is accused of kidnapping, Mears said she was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. He said Collen hurt the woman at some point overnight but did not say how she was able to get away from him.
Mears said several tips came in overnight. He says the victim drove to the substation in the car she and Collen were reportedly last seen in.
In response to the abduction, the Willow Domestic Violence Center released the following statement:
"(Name redacted) abduction, captivity, and escape highlight the fact that abusive relationships can escalate to dangerous levels of violence quickly. We stand with (name redacted) and we applaud her courage and strength. We applaud Chief Mears and the Ogden Police Department for their quick response to ensure justice. October is DV awareness month. This situation has put the spotlight on DV in our community.
Everyone deserves to be safe. If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive relationship, call Willow’s 24/7 Hotline at (585) 222-SAFE (2733) or text (585) 348-SAVE (7233)."