CARROLL, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have been searching a rural area in east-central Kansas for a missing Iowa woman.

Dawn Allen, of Carroll, has been missing since last week. Authorities say an Iowa man sought by police as a witness, James Snovelle (SNOW’-vuhl), of Rolfe, killed himself on Monday as officers closed in. The 54-year-old had been followed to a rural property in Coffey County, Kan.

Carroll Police Chief Jeff Cayler (KAY’-luhr) says the wooded area near where Snovelle killed himself was being searched because that’s where Snovelle was found. Snovelle had ties to the area.

Cayler says the disappearance of the 50-year-old Allen is still being treated as a missing person’s case.

According to The Des Moines Register, investigators say Snovelle and Allen met several months ago and have been dating.
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Information from: The Des Moines Register,
http://www.desmoinesregister.com