STARKE, Fla. – After deputies rescued a kidnapped 35-year-old woman from a motel room in Taylor County on Monday morning, her ex-boyfriend died at a hospital of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said they learned at 9 a.m. that the vehicle Melissa Infinger and her ex-boyfriend, James Busbee, were believed to be in was parked at the Steinhatchee River Inn. Bradford County contacted the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, which confirmed that the couple had rented the room.
According to Bradford County, when deputies entered, Busbee armed himself with a 9 mm handgun as Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett removed Infinger from the room. After a brief standoff, deputies said, Busbee shot himself in the head.
Deputies said he was flown to an area hospital, where he died.
Initial information from investigators was that Infinger was taken at gunpoint from her Bradford County home Saturday morning and the two were driving toward Tampa when they diverted to Taylor County and stopped in Steinhatchee.
"They were able to save her get her out of a very difficult situation," Bradford County Undersheriff Brad Smith said of the Liberty County sheriff's office. "Unfortunately Mr. Busby decided to take his life."
Investigators had actively searched for Infinger since Saturday. They were concerned because they said Infinger has had past issues with Busbee, and Busbee has a history of mental illness.
Infinger's mother and father were relived when the get the news that she was safe.
"I am feeling blessed. Very blessed. I am feeling thankful to everybody," her mother, Erin Clyburn, said. "I heard her voice and I knew she was alive. I didn’t ask her any questions. She is alive."
According to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office, it was a tip from a Jacksonville car dealer who sold Busbee the SUV that led deputies to the motel in Taylor County. The dealer, who heard the broadcast that Busbee and Infinger were missing and believed to be together, knew the vehicle had a tracking device.
"He said, 'I know where the vehicle is right now,' and gave us the location are people started heading over there," Smith said.
Clyburn said she spoke to her daughter on the phone just before noon Monday. She told News4Jax she knew Infinger had to be in trouble.
Infinger's family just wants to get her home.
"I’m sure everybody my family wants to hug her and tell her how much they love her," Clyburn said.