UPDATE: Click here to read the full released from BCSO.
Several law enforcement agencies are investigating a fatality accident involving a child abduction suspect at the center of a central Texas Amber Alert.
Early this morning, an Amber Alert was issued for 8-year-old Jessi Marie Lowrey who was abducted from the Walnut Springs, Texas area. The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Randall Thurman, a family member, last seen in a silver Chrysler 200 sedan. Thurman was reported to be a sex offender, according to police.
At around 9:00am this morning, a person spotted the vehicle in Hill County and notified law enforcement authorities. Police were able to track down the suspect, who took off when officers tried to stop him near the area of Highway 171 and County Road 4123. Officers confirmed it was the suspect through the vehicle’s license plate.
After about a 10 minute pursuit, the suspect crashed at Highway 171 and County Road 302 just inside the Johnson County line. Reports indicate a sheriff’s deputy was involved in the collision.
A CareFlite helicopter was called to the crash scene and airlifted the girl to Cook Children’s hospital. Police did say she was alive when transported. Her condition has not been released.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office. A civilian involved in the crash was also killed.
“Preliminary investigation indicates this crash is tied to an investigation being conducted by the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office,” said DPS in a statement. “No additional information is available at this time.”
UPDATE: Full release from the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office:
***PRESS RELEASE/CHILD ABDUCTION/CHILDREN RECOVERED***On 09/24/21 at approximately 10:45pm, BCSO deputies responded to a residence in Walnut Springs in regards to a report of 2 missing children. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the mother who stated that her 2 children, Cody Lowery (m) and Jessi Lowery (f), ages 7 and 8, were missing and suspected to be with family member, Randall Thurman. As deputies gathered information for the investigation, it was determined that Thurman was a registered sex offender. The investigation was immediately amplified, with additional officers and investigators called out to assist. BCSO communications immediately sent out a BOLO notification to all surrounding counties and Central Texas. Houston PD was also contacted as Thurman maintained a residence in Houston. At approximately 1:40AM, BCSO was notified that 7 year old Cody had been located at a convenience store on I35 in Hill County and was in the custody of Hill County Deputies and Itasca PD. Officers on scene reported that the young boy had run to the convenience store seeking help and had been bound with clear packing tape, wrapped around his throat and arms. Cody advised responding deputies that “Randall” had removed him from the car and wrapped him in tape before fleeing with Jessi still in his possession. Upon taking custody of Cody, Hill County SO deputies immediately summoned paramedics to treat Cody for injuries. Cody was tranported by ambulance to a medical facility for treatment. BCSO deputies responded to the location where extensive search efforts were initiated by all involved agencies.Upon gathering the information necessary, BCSO investigators entered Jessi Lowery into the Amber Alert system expanding the search statewide. As the investigation and search continued, BCSO requested and received assistance and resources from Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and Texas Rangers. McLennan County SO and the Federal Bureau of Investigations were also requested and joined in the investigation.At approximately 9:15AM, a Hill county resident observed the car sitting between a group of trees on his property and recognized it to the the car listed in the Amber Alert. He immediately contacted Hill County SO at which time multiple HCSO and BCSO units began to saturate the area in an effort to locate the vehicle. HCSO deputies observed the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. The suspect fled and a pursuit ensued, traveling northbound on FM 171 toward Cleburne.Just inside Johnson County, pursuing deputies observed the suspect vehicle cross over the center lane of the roadway and continue to travel at high speeds toward an oncoming vehicle. Based on the actions of the driver, deputies believe the maneuver to have been intentional. At the intersection of FM 191 and Johnson County Road 302, the suspect vehicle collided with the oncoming car. Following the collision, officers converged on the vehicles to determine the condition of the occupants in both vehicles. EMS and rescue teams were requested at the scene. As a result of the collision, the driver of the 2nd vehicle suffered fatal injuries upon impact. The name of this crash victim will be withheld pending the completed notification of family. Also fatally injured in the crash was suspect, Randall Thurman.8 year old, abduction victim Jessi Lowery, was found in the front passenger seat of the vehicle operated by Thurman. Jessi was conscious and communicated with officers on the scene. Following the extraction of Jessi from the vehicle, she was placed on a CareFlight helicopter and transported to a medical facility for emergency treatment.The Texas Rangers, Texas DPS crash reconstruction troopers and Johnson County SO conducted the investigation of the crash scene. Agencies that conducted and assisted in this investigation include;Bosque County SO, McLennan County SO, Hill County SO, Sommerville County SO, Waco PD, Itasca PD, Fort Worth PD, Texas DPS Troopers, Texas Rangers, Federal Bureau of Investigations.Additional / multiple Law Enforcement agencies across the state assisted in the search as well as investigating leads that became available during the investigation. This investigation is ongoing and will be updated when/if pertinent information becomes available.Sheriff Hendricks Bosque County
