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Brian Joseph Hedglin was wanted for questioning in the death of Christina Cornejo. |
Utah's St. George airport was closed on Tuesday morning after a man accused of murder reportedly attempted to steal a plane and then committed suicide.
The airport said the closure was the result of a “ground incident,” but local law enforcement told reporters a fugitive on the run from Colorado had hopped over a fence at the airport, boarded a plane, and crashed into another aircraft when he tried to take off.
The suspect was Brian Joseph Hedglin, 40, police told Salt Lake City’s Fox 21 and ABC 4.
Hedglin has been identified as a Sky West pilot and a member of the National Guard who was wanted for questioning in the death of Christina Cornejo.
Cornejo, 39, was found dead in her townhome on Friday in Colorado Springs.
Hedglin had reportedly dated Cornejo for four years, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, and was arrested in March for harassment. According to the police report obtained by the Gazette, he had let himself into her apartment and thrown her computer and printer on the ground after she tried to break off their relationship.
At the time of Cornejo's death, Hedglin was free on $10,000 bond. He was scheduled to go on trial in August.
Hedglin had reportedly dated Cornejo for four years, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, and was arrested in March for harassment. According to the police report obtained by the Gazette, he had let himself into her apartment and thrown her computer and printer on the ground after she tried to break off their relationship.
At the time of Cornejo's death, Hedglin was free on $10,000 bond. He was scheduled to go on trial in August.
Police put out an alert seeking help in locating Hedglin on Tuesday morning, warning the suspect was armed and dangerous, according to Colorado's KKTV.
Sources told ABC 4 Hedglin drove his motorcycle to the St. George airport, climbed over the fence, boarded a Sky West aircraft and started the engines.
He was taxiing the plane when he hit the wing of anotheraircraft. Hedglin later shot and killed himself, though police did not reveal the exact circumstances surrounding his death or at what time the suicide occured.
Hedglin was a licensed pilot, records obtained by ABC 4 show, and was certified to land multi-engine aircraft.
The FBI was still investigating the incident Tuesday, according to ABC 4. A local police officer told the news station that the accident had caused some injuries and damage to the terminal building and some vehicles.
"After the St. George Municipal Airport closed Monday night, a SkyWest Airlines aircraft was involved in a ground incident,” the airport told Salt Lake City’s Fox 13 in a statement. “There were no passengers onboard the CRJ200 as it was not in service at the time. The aircraft did sustain damage; the extent of the damage is currently being inspected by our maintenance and safety professionals. SkyWest is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.”
Sources told ABC 4 Hedglin drove his motorcycle to the St. George airport, climbed over the fence, boarded a Sky West aircraft and started the engines.
He was taxiing the plane when he hit the wing of anotheraircraft. Hedglin later shot and killed himself, though police did not reveal the exact circumstances surrounding his death or at what time the suicide occured.
Hedglin was a licensed pilot, records obtained by ABC 4 show, and was certified to land multi-engine aircraft.
The FBI was still investigating the incident Tuesday, according to ABC 4. A local police officer told the news station that the accident had caused some injuries and damage to the terminal building and some vehicles.
"After the St. George Municipal Airport closed Monday night, a SkyWest Airlines aircraft was involved in a ground incident,” the airport told Salt Lake City’s Fox 13 in a statement. “There were no passengers onboard the CRJ200 as it was not in service at the time. The aircraft did sustain damage; the extent of the damage is currently being inspected by our maintenance and safety professionals. SkyWest is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.”
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