Man wanted in mother’s death found dead with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

A 28-year-old man authorities linked to Tuesday afternoon’s shooting death of his 58-year-old mother at Phenix City’s Garden Apartments was found dead of an apparent self-inflicting gunshot wound hours later, according to a news release from the Phenix City Police Department.

Authorities said Arthur Lester Nelson Jr. was wanted on a murder warrant related to Victoria Nelson’s death when Henry County police found his body in her red 2013 Cadillac SRX.

The discovery came hours after the Phenix City police responded around 12:35 p.m. Tuesday to the apartment complex at 3300 Stadium Drive to check on a report of shots being fired. Upon arrival, they found Victoria Nelson dead inside of her apartment with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officials said witnesses reported seeing Arthur Nelson leave the scene immediately after the shooting in his mother’s vehicle. A murder warrant and BOLO was then issued for him.

Around 6:45 p.m., authorities found Arthur Nelson in Henry County, which is in the metro Atlanta area, dead with what authorities described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The firearm police believe was used in both shootings was located in the vehicle, according to the release.

Both the Phenix City and Henry County police departments are investigating these fatal incidents.

Victoria Nelson’s death is the seventh homicide Phenix City has seen this year. It comes weeks after 40-year-old Michael Clark of Columbus was killed July 24 on Setter Drive.

This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Man wanted in mother’s death found dead with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."