GARDENDALE, Ala. — According to a post from the Gardendale, Alabama Police Department, the U.S. Marshals have confirmed that Kenneth Dion Lever, 52, the suspect in a triple homicide Wednesday in Gardendale has been found dead of an apparent suicide in Escambia County, Florida. 

The victims in the case have been identified as Lever’s ex-wife, Dana Lever, 50, of Gardendale, Alabama and Bonnie Reeves Foshee, 65, and Don Austin Foshee, 69, both of Fultondale, Alabama. Family members identified Bonnie Foshee as Dana Lever’s sister. 

According to reports, officers responded to a shooting at the Peachtree Crossings manufactured housing community in Gardendale, about 20 minutes north of Birmingham.

Police quickly identified Lever as the prime suspect in the shootings. After a manhunt lasted several hours, police said they believed Lever had left the area. Lever had been living in Santa Rose County, Florida, and police believed he may have returned to that area.

Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker also declined to comment on possible witnesses or whether there were children present in the home at the time of the shooting.

According to Associated Press reports, Lever’s ex-wife, Dana Lever, had filed a protective order against him because she said he was harassing and stalking her and their juvenile daughter. The order, issued in December, was signed by a judge in Alabama. 

The AP story also notes Lever was facing charges of sexual abuse of a minor in York County, Pennsylvania.

Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland said he had spoken to family members of the deceased, who he said were “distraught” by the shootings.

Davis and Harris write for the Gardendale, Alabama North Jefferson News.