Women shot to death in Collinsville were sisters. Suspect dies at hospital.

This breaking news story has been been updated with additional details.

A man accused of killing two women in Collinsville on Saturday has died as the result of bullet wounds he received from the gun of an Illinois State trooper, law enforcement officials say.

Adam Cobb, 32, led police on a chase from Collinsville to Christian County, which ended when he pointed a gun toward state troopers. He was transported with life-threatening injuries to a Springfield hospital where was pronounced dead at 4:40 a.m. Sunday.

The chase started after the two women were found dead inside a home at 1075 McDonough Lake Road Saturday morning. Their identities were released during a press conference in Edwardsville late Sunday afternoon.

The home was the residence of Cobb and his estranged partner, Jamie Joiner, 30, who had ended the relationship and was in the process of moving out, authorities said. Her sister, Jessica Joiner, 34, was in town from California to assist with the move.

Police say Cobb shot them both. No one else was at the residence, authorities said.

“What we know from our investigators is that there apparently was a separation in place between Jamie and Adam,” said Maj. Jeff Connor, chief deputy sheriff with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. “Mr. Cobb shot both females; we believe they were both shot in the head or neck region, and also shot the family dog which was deceased at the scene.

“This is just a tragic event. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to the Joiner family but also the Cobb family. There are several families whose lives have been turned upside because of these events.”

Connor said he is not sure which victim was shot first.

“Some of these things we’ll never know,” he said.

As far as the firearm, Connor explained, “Let me tell you it’s a large caliber gun. There’s evidence at the scene that we believe the same caliber gun was used at the scene and located with him during the traffic stop. Forensics will later determine if it is in fact the same weapon. But the evidence suggest it is.”

Connor also said the department did not have any records of Cobb having a history of domestic violence.

“There were no previous calls to the house that we’re aware of. I don’t believe there was any criminal history or warning,” he said.

Additionally, as of Sunday afternoon, Connor — who said Jamie Joiner likely made the 911 call — noted there were no witnesses, noting the house is in a rural area.

“There’s not a next door neighbor in this location,” he said. “We’re willing to talk to anyone who might have information. But this is pretty much a domestic situation that ended in a tragedy.”

Cobb captured Saturday

Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, Cobb’s vehicle was spotted by local law enforcement near Hillsboro. A pursuit ensued after officers attempted a traffic stop and state troopers joined the chase, state police said.

The chase crossed Illinois 16 and then went north on U.S. 51.

“After becoming partially disabled, the suspect vehicle” came to a stop on U.S. 51 just north of Pana in Christian County at about 1:53 p.m., state police said.

“The driver of the suspect vehicle exited and pointed a firearm in the direction of an ISP Trooper,” according to a state police news release, and the trooper fired at the suspect. Law enforcement officers were not injured in this incident.

Pana is about 44 miles southeast of Springfield.

What’s next?

Moving forward, Connor said his department will finish any leads that arise and conduct a thorough and complete investigation on what took place.

He also thanked all personnel who assisted, including the Collinsville Police Department, Illinois State Police, the Pontoon Beach Police Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

“It’s hard for anybody to walk up and see two deceased bodies outside a residence,” he said. “We will continue to investigate this, but at this point we really have nothing further to release.”

Connor also offered this advice for individuals dealing with domestic violence.

“The main thing is to seek help, to seek counseling, to seek advice from anyone,” he said. “Nobody should be subjected to any type of domestic violence. What led up to this breakup? I’m not here to say there was a violent relationship.”

This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 5:49 PM.