UPDATE ferry is now open.
Suspect was caught at Cave In Rock Motel without incident. He was armed, however.
Kentucky State Police are searching for Billy C. Utley of Webster County. He is believed to be armed and dangerous, and may be in the Cave In Rock, Ill., area.
Police think the 41-year-old suspect shot and killed his estranged wife last night in Wheatcroft then fled the scene with a high-powered rifle.
Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent said Illinois State Police have closed the ferry at this time.
A motorist tells The Press that several unmarked Kentucky police cars and plain-clothed officers are at the ferry landing on the Kentucky side.
Keith Todd, spokesman for the Transportation Cabinet, says it's unclear at this time how long the ferry will be closed.
Last night, state police found Theresa A. Utley deceased inside a vehicle at a Wheatcroft address. An investigation revealed that Utley's estranged husband shot her with a high-powered rifle. The Webster county coroner pronounced Theresa A. Utley dead at scene. Detectives followed up on several leads in Webster, Union and Henderson counties. They apparently learned that the suspect may be headed to southern Illinois.
A murder warrant has been issued for Billy Utley. Anyone with information concerning the investigation or whereabouts of Utley is urged to contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-270-676-3313 or toll free at 1-800-222-5555.
