Eunice Police Chief Ronald Dies said Wednesday evening that Peter Randy Batiste, 38, died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound before authorities could arrest their prime suspect in the March 8 murder of Shantelle Williams, 33.

Dies said that tips from the public led investigators to tag Batiste as their prime suspect. Batiste is believed to have been with Williams prior to her body being found in a Frugé Street, Eunice residence.

Williams was found with a gunshot wound to the chest around 7:30 a.m., and died on the scene shortly afterwards.

A motive is unknown, but Dies said that investigators believed that Batiste had "some sort of relationship" with Williams.

The evidence was enough that authorities were able to proceed with a warrant for Batiste's arrest.

Eunice Police, assisted by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals and a SWAT team entered a residence in Lawtell to find Batiste dead.

Batiste was alone at the time. Dies said that Batiste resided with a relative.

Dies said Batiste's apparent suicide ends the investigation into Williams' murder.

Batiste's suicide will be investigated by the St. Landry Sheriff's Department.