Man sought in double homicide found dead

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — Chad Ankenbrand, the man wanted for questioning in a domestic-violence-related double homicide near Fort Walton Beach on January 31, was located dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound yesterday inside a vehicle in Indiana, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators had been searching for Ankenbrand, 47, since discovering the bodies of his estranged girlfriend, Annastacia Merrell, 52, and Merrell’s co-worker, Patrick Tymoch, 51, inside Merrell’s Bentwood Lane home Tuesday afternoon.

The pair appeared to have suffered single gunshot wounds.

Ankenbrand was considered a person of interest and the OCSO’s investigation into the shooting to determine all the facts is continuing.

Ankenbrand’s missing black Ford Mustang was also located yesterday at a home east of Crestview. Investigators learned Ankenbrand had sold the car Monday to a citizen who discovered Wednesday afternoon that the OCSO was trying to locate both the vehicle and Ankenbrand.

The man immediately contacted law enforcement.

OCSO Investigators believe Ankenbrand was trying to get to Illinois, where he has connections. He was driving Merrell’s 2013 silver Nissan Juke.

The car with Ankbrand’s body inside was found not far from the Indiana/Illinois state line.

Autopsies have been scheduled for the victims.