A beloved nursing student in Michigan was kidnapped and killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend, a doctor — who shot her in the head in Illinois and then took his own life in Iowa after first calling his parents.

Gina Nicole Bryant, 25, a student at the University of Michigan-Flint, was killed by Dr. Justin Wendling, 26, of Holly, Michigan, at a gas station in La Salle, Illinois, on Oct. 13, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we write this post,” Charlotte Jolly, who described herself as Bryant’s best friend, wrote on Facebook. “The family has suffered an unspeakable and tragic loss due to domestic violence.”

La Salle Detective Sgt. Brian Camenisch confirmed that Wendling, a medical resident at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township, “was responsible for the homicide based on our investigation,” the Detroit News reported.

​Bryant was reported missing on Oct. 12 after co-workers grew concerned when she did not return to work as a medical assistant after her lunch break and they began receiving odd messages from her phone, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said.

An investigation by the sheriff’s office revealed that Wendling was waiting for Bryant when she returned home for lunch. A neighbor’s surveillance video showed him leading her to his car at 1:42 p.m. that day.

The following day, he reportedly called his parents and told them he had killed his ex-girlfriend and was going to kill himself. The parents notified authorities of Wendling’s location in LaSalle, his hometown.

“Tragically, surveillance video and witnesses from a truck stop in LaSalle, Ill., confirmed that the suspect had shot and killed the victim at approximately 12:00AM on 10/13/2023,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The suspect then fled to Bettendorf, Iowa. It was reported to the MCSO that as local officers approached the vehicle, the suspect shot and killed himself,” police added.

Bryant had lived with Wendling in​ Grand Blanc Township after they began dating 11 months ago, her oldest sister, Angelica Gintner, told the Detroit News.

In late September, Bryant’s mother and sister moved her out of the apartment after she told them that Wendling had been abusing her for months, according to the outlet.

“She was very beautiful, down-to-earth, giving woman,” Gintner said. “She could brighten up a day with just her smile. She’d give you the shirt off your back. She was caring and compassionate.”

Wendling’s family has declined to comment but officials at the hospital where he worked said in a statement that “Ascension Genesys Hospital has recently learned of the death of one of our residents.

“Emotional and spiritual support services are being offered to staff and providers during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement,” spokeswoman Christine Gleason told the Detroit News.

Bryant attended the rigorous International Academy in Oakland County, where she met one of her best friends, Courtney Pefley, 25.

“She was the best possible friend you could have. She was always looking out for you. You picked up the phone, she would be there,” Pefley told the news outlet.

After graduating cum laude from Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights in 2016, Bryant attended Grand Valley State University and graduated in 2020.

At the time of her death, she was a student in UM-Flint’s accelerated bachelor of science nursing program, school spokesman Robb King told the Detroit News.

Nursing school Dean Cynthia McCurren sent an email to Bryant’s colleagues and faculty, saying she was “heartbroken” to learn about her death.

“There are truly no words to fully capture the anguish that losses like this cause our community,” McCurren said. “Gina was an extraordinary young woman with much ahead of her.”

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said in a statement that his department has seen an uptick in domestic violence cases.

“These incidents are tragic not only to the victims & survivors, but to family members as well. Please, if you or someone you know is in an unsafe situation, do not hesitate to reach out,” he wrote.