Officials investigating after man suspected of sexual assault dies after brief police pursuit

DES MOINES, Wash. — Officials are investigating after a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman early Sunday was found dead after a police pursuit in Des Moines, according to a press release from the police department.

Officers responded around 6 a.m. to a report of a sexual assault in progress in the 22800 block of 27th Avenue South.

Police were told the victim, a woman, knew the attacker, a man in his early 20s. The suspect was in a vehicle outside the residence when officers arrived.

The suspect then fled and police began a short pursuit before the suspect lost control of his car and crashed into some bushes in the 21600 block of 7th Avenue South, according to a press release. The man then fled on foot near the Des Moines Creek Trail area. Police began searching for him.

The man was located around 7 a.m. by a K-9 just east of the beach park. Police said that he was unresponsive. Medics arrived and began working on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Des Moines Police Department is investigating. There are no outstanding suspects and the sexual assault victim is cooperating with police.

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