Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Emmet and Dickinson Counties, along with the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation, are investigating an incident that resulted in the death on Friday, of a man from Missouri. According to authorities, 19-year old Alexander Lee Graves, of Kansas City, MO., died following a crash that occurred during the pursuit of a vehicle reported stolen out of Sac County.

The incident began when a Dickson County Sheriff’s Deputy saw Graves driving the vehicle and tried to initiate a traffic stop. Graves proceeded to elude the deputy at a high rate of speed. The chase continued into Emmet County, where the deputy lost sight of the stolen vehicle due to poor road conditions. Graves had driven the vehicle off the road and into a ditch before fleeing into a field.

Upon finding the abandoned vehicle, the deputy followed Graves’ tracks into the field, where Graves was found deceased, with a handgun beside him. His body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, where an autopsy was performed. Officials say at this time, Graves’ death is believed to be the result of a suicide.

The investigation is ongoing by the Emmet and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Offices, and DCI.