Salem woman describes terrifying escape from ex-boyfriend

SALEM, Ore. -- A Marion County sheriff's spokeswoman says a 22-year-old Salem woman was able to talk her way out of a violent abduction by a suicidal ex-boyfriend. Lt. Sheila Lorance says the man fatally shot himself when confronted by a sheriff's deputy after the woman escaped.

Brittany Caudle told deputies she went to the residence she had shared with 50-year-old Mickey Jarrell on Monday to pick up some belongings. She says he attacked and bound her with duct tape, then eventually began driving her from Woodburn to The Dalles.

Along the way, she says he confessed to several robberies at the Woodburn Outlet Mall. She eventually persuaded him to turn back to Salem, saying she would stay with him. Caudle says she then persuaded Jarrell to let her follow him back to his house in her own car. Instead, she veered off and called for help.

After officers heard her story, a deputy headed to Jarrell's residence and found the man backing his vehicle out of the garage. Lorance says Jarrell got out, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

Detectives are investigating the man's reported robbery claims.