Ex-Cop Dies After Shooting Self On N.J. Turnpike, Wife's Body In Trunk: Police

An ex-cop died after shooting himself Saturday on the New Jersey Turnpike following a chase and the discovery of his wife's body in his car's trunk.

At approximately 9:36 p.m., New Jersey State troopers located murder suspect Franklin Osgood, 61, of Providence, Rhode Island, on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike in Ridgefield Park, Bergen County, police said.

Providence Police Department detectives had contacted State Police dispatchers to report that Osgood, a murder suspect considered armed and dangerous, may be traveling on the turnpike in a 2007 black Dodge Charger, police said.

A trooper on patrol was able to locate Osgood northbound near Interchange 18W. Troopers attempted to stop Osgood, but he refused to pull over.

At milepost 117.1, Osgood lost control of his car, ran off the road to the left, struck a metal guardrail, and then struck a troop car driven by an assisting trooper, police said.

After the crash, troopers approached the Dodge and discovered Osgood with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 11:32 p.m., police said.

A search of his car led to the discovery of Osgood’s deceased wife, Mary Jo Osgood, 55, of Providence, inside the trunk and a semi-automatic handgun inside the passenger compartment., police said

Mary Jo Osgood was pronounced deceased at the scene at 1:25 a.m. The trooper who was involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The death of Mary Jo Osgood is being investigated by the Providence Police Department.