WEST FELICIANA – A West Feliciana and Zachary fire captain, who was wanted in the killing of his wife, was found dead in his vehicle in Colorado Monday, authorities say.

Fire Captain Rudolf Shoats, 48, was found dead in his pickup truck with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Monday. Authorities say his truck had flipped off a cliff in Colorado and was found with Shoats dead inside.

Authorities were searching for Shoats after his wife was found shot to death at her home in Wilkinson County, Mississippi Sunday afternoon. The Wilkinson County Sheriff's Office says Shoats' assistant chief and a friend of the victim stopped by the home for a welfare check after the fire captain did not show up for work.

The sheriff's office says 45-year-old Khristie Shoats was found dead in the passenger seat of her vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head.

An arrest warrant was issued for Shoats and a BOLO alert was issued for his car. Sources said Shoats and his wife were last seen leaving an event in Vidalia to head back to their home in Mississippi. 

Authorities weren't able to make contact with Shoats, and he wouldn't answer phone calls. The Marshal service says it pinged Shoats' phone near his residence in Woodville shortly after 12:30 Sunday afternoon, possibly checking messages. 

Shoats was found dead inside his vehicle early Monday afternoon.