Stephanie Beatty, 22, of Norwich, Connecticut, was found dead from an apparent gunshot in a parked vehicle on Nason Street in Brockton on December 8, 2023. Officers responded to a 911 call at about 12:22 a.m.; Beatty was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators quickly identified a suspect. Massachusetts State Police detectives and Brockton Police obtained an arrest warrant charging 29-year-old Gelson Fernandes of Brockton with homicide; authorities said Fernandes and Beatty were previously acquainted but did not detail the nature of their relationship. Fernandes was later located the next evening after sustaining an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment.

The Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police continue to investigate. If anyone knew Stephanie, her movements that night, or her connection to Fernandes, please share information with investigators.