On October 12, Gina Nicole Bryant, a 25-year-old nursing student from the University of Michigan-Flint, didn’t return to her job as a medical assistant after her lunch break. Surveillance footage later showed her being escorted to a car by Dr. Justin Wendling, a 26-year-old medical resident from Holly, Michigan. This footage initiated the official investigation.
By the next day, Wendling had confessed by phone to his parents about his role in the crime and voiced his intentions to end his life. This confession accelerated the efforts of law enforcement in their search.
Additional video evidence from a truck stop in LaSalle, Illinois showed Wendling shooting and killing Bryant. He was then traced to Bettendorf, Iowa and, as officers found his car and attempted to approach, Wendling ended his life.
Previously, Bryant and Wendling shared a relationship and had cohabited for close to a year. Allegations surfaced that Wendling had exhibited abusive behavior. To address this, Bryant’s family relocated her from their shared apartment in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan in late September.
Angelica Gintner, Bryant’s sister, remembered Gina as someone characterized by immense kindness and a perpetual readiness to assist others. Gintner highlighted Bryant’s talent for boosting the spirits of those around her through her cheerful nature.
Regarding her scholastic achievements, Bryant was an honors graduate of Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, Michigan in 2016. She later attended Grand Valley State University, finishing her studies in 2020. At the time of her death, she was enrolled in a bachelor of science nursing program at UM-Flint.
In a statement, Cynthia McCurren, the dean of the university’s nursing program, shared the profound impact of losing a student of Bryant’s caliber and potential. She conveyed to the university community the seriousness of such a loss.
