US 'Facebook killer' commits suicide after brief chase

The US man wanted for killing an elderly man in Ohio and then posting a video of the murder on Facebook fatally shot himself on Tuesday after a brief pursuit in neighbouring Pennsylvania, police said. Steve Stephens, 37, had been the subject of a nationwide manhunt in the wake of Sunday's killing in Cleveland.

The incident was the latest grisly crime posted on Facebook, reviving questions about videos posted on the world's largest social network, and how – or if – they can be monitored.

The footage was eventually taken down. Stephens "was spotted this morning by PSP members in Erie County. After a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself," Pennsylvania State Police.

The FBI had put Stephens on its Most Wanted list, and authorities were offering up to $50,000 in rewards for information leading

to his capture.

Stephens was accused of fatally shooting Robert Godwin Sr in Cleveland, Ohio as the 74-year-old grandfather was walking home from dinner on Easter Sunday.

Stephens is believed to have videotaped his actions and published it on Facebook, along with another video threatening to kill others and claiming he had already killed 13 people.

Authorities said Godwin is the only known victim despite an extensive investigation into Stephens's claims to have

killed others.