The man wanted in a double fatal stabbing Wednesday night was taken into custody Thursday morning suffering from what appeared to be self-inflicted stab wounds.
Brandon Rapier, 27, fatally stabbed Micah Hall and Ciera Kolb, both 27, after posting a comment on his Facebook page complaining about a "betrayal" involving his "x" and a friend of his, according to allegations in a probable cause statement filed in Cole County Circuit Court.
Two counts of first-degree murder were filed against Rapier just before he was captured at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park. Police said he had previously been involved in a romantic relationship with Kolb.
Detectives located Rapier coming out of the woods in the lower parking lot of Riverside Park. He appeared to be suffering from previously inflicted wounds that required medical attention, and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment. He was listed Thursday afternoon in fair condition.
A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement shows an active ex-parte order was in effect Wednesday, listing Kolb as the petitioner and Rapier as the respondent. Rapier had posted on his Facebook account Tuesday, "If you caught your friend that you would never betray in bed with your x that you loved to absolute death (after a month's time). How would you react? What would you do?"
Rapier posted to Facebook on Wednesday: "A god among men, of either light or dark, whichever makes no difference to me. I will have it no other way. I am judge, jury, and my favorite, executioner."
Kolb reported to police Wednesday afternoon she had received a "suspicious and threatening email" and numerous harassing telephone calls.
Police put the residence at 104 Grant St. under video surveillance. The probable cause statement reports: "Kolb and Hall were observed on surveillance in the front yard of 104 Grant St. An individual with similar characteristics as Rapier parked in front of the residence and ran towards Hall. The location of the attack is not in view of the cameras. The same individual ran back to the vehicle and drove northbound on Grant Street."
A Ford pickup truck with Rapier's phone in it was later found abandoned at Riverside Park, which is a short distance from the crime scene and where he was arrested Thursday morning.
Rapier has been on parole on a second-degree assault conviction in connection with a 2014 knife attack.