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Fugitive wanted for domestic violence tracks wife to Georgia; dies in murder-suicide

A wife was hiding in her sister's home when her husband found her.

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Two women were shot and killed Thursday morning near the Dawson County line by a male suspect who then took his own life, according to police.

The Lumpkin County sheriff's department was called to 72 Bryn Drive, where they found three adults dead. They were Kelley McDonald, 39, his wife, Kelly Jean Garrison, 35, and her sister Tracy Lynne Runnels, 38 of Dahlonega.

Police said McDonald and his wife are from Tampa, Florida and that she fled Florida because of a domestic situation and went to her sister's home on Bryn Drive.

Three children -- ages 2, 13, and 16 -- were in the home at the time. Police said the 16-year-old had been shot, and the 2-year-old was thought to be injured but turned out to be okay when taken to Egleston Children’s hospital.

The 13-year-old escaped the home and ran to a neighbor’s house.

Police said they do not know how the husband got there.

They did receive a report of a suspicious person and a suspicious vehicle in the area being driven by a white female and are asking if anyone saw a Champagne-colored Ford Explorer, early 2000’s model, to contact them.

McDonald was wanted and had been listed on Tampa Bay's Crime Stoppers since February for domestic battery by strangulation, domestic violence and burglary with assault/battery, and domestic violence. Crime Stoppers was offering a reward up to $3,000 for information on his location.

If you are a victim of domestic violence or know of someone who is, you can find resources at the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

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