In a harrowing and tragic incident that unfolded across three states, a Michigan doctor kidnapped and killed his nursing student ex-girlfriend before taking his own life. The shocking events surrounding the death of 25-year-old Gina Bryant have left the community in grief and raised awareness about the grave consequences of domestic violence.

Gina Bryant, a nursing student at the University of Michigan-Flint, met a grim fate on October 13, 2023. The story begins when she left work for her lunch break and failed to return, causing alarm among her co-workers. They received “odd text messages” from her phone, and her boss reported her missing to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

An investigation soon unveiled the grim details of what had transpired. Gina had broken up with her ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Dr. Justin Wendling, a gynecology resident at Ascension Genesys Hospital, just two weeks prior to the tragedy. It was revealed that Wendling had been waiting for her when she returned home for lunch in Macomb, Michigan.

A neighbor’s security camera captured the chilling scene as Wendling led Gina to his car, presumably using a gun and handcuffs, according to La Salle Police Chief Michael Smudzinski.

Hours later, in La Salle, Illinois, Wendling stopped at the Flying J Truck Stop for gas. When the pump appeared to malfunction, he went into the store. Gina saw an opportunity to escape and stepped out of the car, triggering a confrontation. Wendling tackled her to the ground, and as witnesses looked on in horror, he shot her in the head near a row of fuel pumps.

After this brutal act, Wendling fled in his SUV but made a chilling confession to his parents. Law enforcement quickly issued an alert about his vehicle, initiating a nationwide manhunt for the fugitive.

Around 11:45 p.m. on October 13, Wendling’s vehicle was located at a rest stop off Interstate 80 in Bettendorf, Iowa. As officers approached, he turned the gun on himself, ending his life.

Two weeks prior to this horrific event, Gina had courageously ended her 11-month relationship with Wendling and moved out of his apartment in Grand Blanc Township. Tragically, it was revealed that she had been enduring months of abuse, as reported by her sister and mother.

As the community mourns the loss of Gina Bryant, the dean of the University of Michigan-Flint’s nursing school, Cynthia McCurren, expressed her sorrow, highlighting the promising future that was taken away from the young woman. Gina’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of domestic violence, underscoring the urgent need to address and combat this issue in society.

This devastating incident shines a light on the importance of supporting victims of domestic abuse and raising awareness about the critical resources available for those in need. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.