Search for missing actress linked to man who fatally shot himself after pursuit: sources

CORONA, Calif. -- (KTLA) -- An aspiring actress who went missing near her Hollywood apartment a month ago was romantically involved with a man who fatally shot himself in the Corona area after leading law enforcement officials on a lengthy pursuit Thursday night, a source close to the investigation has told KTLA.

The man was later identified by coroner's officials as Chris Spotz, 33.

California Highway Patrol officials said the man who killed himself was possibly tied to a homicide that occurred in Los Angeles County, but would not release more information about that homicide.

However, a source told KTLA the man in the pursuit — now known to be Spotz — was romantically linked to Adea Shabani, a 25-year-old woman who went missing on Feb. 23 under suspicious circumstances. Friends said Shabani and Spotz attended the same acting school.

Shabani is an acting student from Macedonia who law enforcement officials said is still considered missing.

The armed man led several law enforcement agencies on a roughly 70-mile chase from Hesperia before he was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the CHP said in a news release.

The pursuit began Thursday night at about 8:45 p.m., when San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies noticed a stolen Toyota Tacoma heading south on the 15 Freeway in Hesperia, CHP said.

The truck had recently been used in a homicide in L.A. County, according to investigators.

CHP officers assumed control of the pursuit once it reached the Mira Loma area in Riverside County, as the suspect continued down the 15 Freeway. Authorities attempted to stop the man by deploying two spike strips, which the Tacoma did make contact with, but the driver was able to continue evading officers.

The pickup headed westbound at the 91 Freeway interchange in Corona and not long after exited at Green River Road, CHP said.

The vehicle then came to a stop, and the man was found dead, officials said.

Meanwhile, the search for Shabani continues as friends and family have expressed concern over her sudden disappearance. When she missed a class at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting, and still wasn't texting or calling back loved ones, some began to worry.