Police say a Virginia man who authorities describe as a person of interest in a homicide investigation has shot and killed himself after a police chase near Charlottesville.

Albemarle County Police and the Louisa County Sheriff's Office say 45-year-old Barry Sullivan of Fredericksburg led police on a 7-mile (11 km) chase through both counties Friday afternoon.

Police had been on the lookout for Sullivan's car after his wife was found dead in her home earlier in the week.

Sullivan's car came to a stop in Albemarle County at the end of the chase, and police discovered Sullivan with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by Albemarle County Police.