Suspect in doctor’s death shoots himself as police close in

The man wanted in the slaying of Dr. Mark Hausknecht put a gun to his head Friday morning and pulled the trigger just as Houston police closed in on him with their weapons drawn — bringing a close to the weekslong manhunt for the prominent cardiologist’s suspected killer.

Joseph Pappas was pronounced dead on the scene in southwest Houston around 9:35 a.m., Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters during a news conference. Authorities had been searching for him since July 20, when Hausknecht, who previously served as former President George H.W. Bush’s personal doctor, was gunned down by a fellow cyclist as he rode his bike to work at the Houston Methodist Hospital.

“This is our suspect. The suspect’s deceased, he committed suicide when he was confronted by two members of the Houston Police Department Patrol assets here in the South West Division,” Acevedo said.

Authorities first received a tip about Pappas’ whereabouts around 9:20 Friday morning. It came from a person on the Houston Parks board, who had been checking to make sure a popular graffiti spot did not become the subject of overnight vandalism. Pappas began to walk away but stopped and spread his arms as the witness approached.

He managed to make his escape, but not before dropping his wallet, which allowed law enforcement to confirm his identity. Responding officers arrived in the area shortly after and were able to pinpoint Pappas’ location.

Officials believe the attack stems from a grudge Pappas had been holding on to for more than 20 years. Hausknecht operated on his mother in 1997, but she died during surgery.

It seemed the search for the suspected killer was nearing its end Thursday evening after Pappas’ neighbors requested law enforcement presence, fearing the suspect would return home when no one was around.