LOWELL (CBS) — Police have found the man wanted in a deadly shooting in Lowell after a massive manhunt.

The search for 51-year-old Ross Elliott came to an end Friday when he was found dead in the trunk of a car in a Chelmsford parking lot.

Investigators say it appears Elliott broke into the car at a home in the Highlands neighborhood of Lowell and died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Lowell resident who owned the car drove to a doctor’s appointment in Chelmsford, and noticed the trunk was ajar when she arrived. When the woman went to close it, she discovered Elliott’s body and called police.

Police remain on Research Place in Chelmsford, where Elliott’s body was found. The car was towed away from the area.

Investigators say Elliott shot his ex-girlfriend in the head in the common area at an apartment building on Stevens Street early Thursday morning.

On Friday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan identified the victim as 44-year-old Nicole Gamache White of Lowell. White’s daughter and other relatives saw the shooting.

The car Elliot was found in was parked outside of a Lowell General Hospital outpatient facility.

“What we should not lose sight of is this is unfortunately another tragic example of loss of life in domestic violence situations,” said Ryan. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the children in this family as we head into Mother’s Day weekend, the life of a mother lost to domestic violence and ultimate ending with the death of Mr. Elliott.”

Brandy Nash knew White since childhood. “When I was 15, 16, I used to get in trouble with these wrong guys and she would say ‘you need to get away from that loser’ she would tell it to me straight, and I used to be very offended by some of the things she would say,” Nash said. “To see that she lost her life this way is ironic.”

Another family friend who wanted to stay anonymous said, “I will always remember Nicky with a smile on her face. She was always smiling. She was very kind. She would help you out if she could.”

“I just can’t believe she’s dead. I just can’t believe it. Because she was a very nice woman. She was a very loving mom. She cared deeply about her daughter,” said Ruth Elyn Rivanis, a crossing guard who became friends with White.

Elliott ran off following White’s murder and started a manhunt in which heavily armed police officers swarmed the Highlands neighborhood of Lowell.

Elliott was spotted once by off-duty Lowell firefighter David Provencher. He told WBZ-TV he found him hiding under his motorcycle cover Thursday afternoon.

“He just kept saying I want to be left alone I want to go die. I pulled my phone out and he pointed a gun at me and said don’t do that, don’t do that,” Provencher said. Elliot ran away again.

Residents were told to shelter in place for several hours until that order was lifted around 11 p.m.

Elliott has a history of violence. He was jailed for assaulting and kidnapping another girlfriend 13 years ago.