On Wednesday evening, June 10, the Vermont State Police were contacted by the Kansas Highway Patrol about an incident possibly involving Jason Kendall, who was being sought for the alleged murder of Molly Helland, age 23 of Windsor, Vt.
Kansas police said that a silver 1996 Honda Accord with Mass. license plates was spotted on I-70 in Wakeeney, Kan. by Kansas Highway Patrol officers. The car was traveling 87 mph in a 75 mph zone. A pursuit ensued, reaching speeds as high as 105 mph. The car eventually crashed.
As the officers approached the car, they discovered the driver (the only occupant of the vehicle) dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI) and the Vermont State Police have worked jointly and have positively identified the occupant of this vehicle as Jason Kendall, age 27, of West Windsor, Vt. An arrest warrant was issued for Kendall early Tuesday morning, June 9, for second degree homicide in the shooting death of Molly Helland on June 8, in Windsor.
Investigation in Kansas revealed the 1996 silver Honda Accord bore one Mass. front license plate, stolen from Holyoke, Mass., on Monday, June 8, and a different Mass. rear plate, taken from a residence, also in Holyoke. The rear plate was not reported stolen and not known to be missing until the events in Kansas revealed these facts.
Kendall had a .243 caliber rifle in his car. This firearm is believed to have been used in the murder of Molly Helland as well as the firearm used to take his own life.
Investigation continues with the cooperation of the Windsor P.D., N.H. State Police, Claremont (N.H.) P.D., Windsor Co. States Attorney, Mass. State Police, Holyoke P.D., Springfield (Mass.) P.D., Kansas Highway Patrol, KBI as well as many other law enforcement agencies. The Vermont State Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation.
