Man Wanted For Murder In Maine Leads Police On Pursuit From Massachusetts To New Hampshire

DUNBARTON, NH — A suspect wanted for the homicide of his girlfriend in Skowhegan, Maine, led police on a manhunt into Massachusetts and was captured after a high-speed chase into New Hampshire.

Police say Dane Burke, 55, of Skowhegan, Maine, allegedly killed his girlfriend, Nicole Jackson, 46, of Skowhegan. The autopsy was classified as a homicide, and the autopsy showed the cause of death was from blunt force and sharp force trauma.

Following an investigation by Maine State Police Major Crimes, they determined Burke was the person of interest and issued a BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) for him and the Jeep Compass with Ohio plates he was allegedly driving.

Saturday, at approximately 8 a.m., the vehicle was located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Local law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply, resulting in a pursuit.

Massachusetts State Police joined the pursuit, which continued across the New Hampshire state line in Salem. New Hampshire State Police joined the pursuit, which traveled North on Interstate 93, to I-293 in Manchester, Route 101 into Bedford, and Route 114 in Goffstown, and eventually crashed on Route 13 in Dunbarton. Burke lost control of the vehicle and struck a large tree at high speed; the impact deployed all the vehicle's airbags. Officers originally believed he was unresponsive, and then he attempted to back up the vehicle.

Police spent more than an hour negotiating with him to surrender, and used less-lethal munitions fired into the vehicle. After a prolonged period, he was removed from the vehicle and placed in custody.

Dunbarton Fire and EMS, which were staged in the area, were cleared to approach and began medical treatment. Burke was transported to Concord Hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. He was arrested on a Maine warrant charging him with murder and will remain in New Hampshire custody pending his return to Maine. Once released from the hospital, Burke will be transported to a New Hampshire jail.

On Wednesday, the Skowhegan Police Department received a 911 call at 11:37 p.m. for a person not breathing at 361 West Front St. Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased Jackson at the residence.

Detectives and evidence technicians worked throughout the day, conducting interviews and gathering evidence.

Patch will provide updates if more information becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news