(Update) Louisiana sexual abuse suspect dies at Good Hope Econo Lodge

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Brian Ruth (Blount County Sheriff's Office) (Econo Lodge photo courtesy of Econo Lodge)

GOOD HOPE, Ala. – A Louisiana man wanted for sexual abuse of a child younger than 10 took his own life at the Econo Lodge in Good Hope Friday night.

Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick identified the man as Brian James Ruth, 33, of Slidell, Louisiana. He said Ruth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Friday, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert, saying: “Please be on the look out for a silver Toyota Camry displaying a Louisiana license plate 106CKG. The driver, Brian Ruth, is wanted in Louisiana and has a warrant with Tammany Parish for sexual misconduct. Brian is a 33 year old white male. If seen please call 911 immediately. Do not approach him or attempt to restrain him. At this time we do not know if he has any weapons so we must assume he is armed and possibly dangerous and on the run from Louisiana law enforcement. The subject is believed to be in the Blount County area. His victim is a 10 year old.”

A little after 10 p.m., the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement saying:

“Earlier this evening, Friday, July 24, there was an incident at the Econo Lodge in Good Hope involving CCSO deputies and a suspect from Louisiana who had a sexual abuse of a minor under 10 felony warrant.

“The suspect is deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and all CCSO deputies are unharmed.

“This is an isolated incident and the community is safe.

“More information will be released in the days to come.”

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Wendy Sack

wendy@cullmantribune.com