Last Updated: 5:09 p.m.
A five-hour standoff between Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies and 39-year-old Kathryn Hunter in and around her house at 100 Point of Woods Drive in Palm Coast ended relatively peacefully in mid-afternoon.
Hunter had indicated she was armed and intended to end her life. That led to an air and foot search for her in late morning, when she was thought to be in the woods near the house, then to a stand-off as deputies got in contact with her when she was in the house.
When she stopped communicating, members of the Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team went into the house and were able to take control of the situation peacefully: Hunter complied, and was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler. She was expected to be Baker Acted after that. A Baker Act is when an individual who is threatening harm to self or others is committed to a psychiatric unit in Daytona Beach for up to 72 hours, usually against the person’s will.
“She had not harmed herself,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said of Hunter when the stand-off ended. The stand-off required Point of Woods to be shut down to traffic for several hours.
A weapon was seized and secured by deputies for safekeeping, but would have to be returned to Hunter if she is the weapon’s rightful owner, a Sheriff’s spokesperson said. She lives alone, and the sheriff’s office is aware and concerned: “We have reached out to ACT/Stewart Marchman to express our concerns about this. We don’t want to see her released without getting the help she needs,” the spokesperson said.
The incident is the latest in a long string of encounters over the past five years between deputies and armed individuals that deputies negotiate and de-escalate successfully, without injuries to civilians or to themselves.
Hunter will not face charges.
The previous story is below.
Deputies and Fire Flight Seeking to Defuse Suicidal Situation in P-Section
Sometime around 10:30, Kathryn Hunter, the 39-year-old resident at 100 Point of Woods Drive in Palm Coast, informed a friend that she intended to kill herself. The friend contacted the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies converged around the house.
Flagler County Fire Flight, the emergency helicopter, launched in that direction, and has been circling the area since, because early reports suggested that Hunter was in the woods near the house. But Fire Flight has not been able to lay eyes on her.
“They believe now that she may be indoors and armed so just for the safety of everyone they’re asking people in the neighborhood to avoid the area,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said this morning. The advice, the spokesperson said, is to “shelter in place or leave the area.”
Numerous deputies have established a perimeter around the house on Point of Woods, a neighborhood that branches off Belle Terre Parkway.
“Right now they’re trying to contact her via phone to see if they can talk to her and talk her out of her plans.”
Hunter is no stranger to authorities in the past few weeks: she was the girlfriend of Michael Bryce Curtis, the 36-year-old man who, less than two weeks ago (the morning of Jan. 9) informed dispatchers at the 911 center that he was worried that Hunter may have taken a lethal dose of medication in an attempt to end her life. But Curtis then went on to threaten that he would end his own life if authorities did not find Hunter. Hunter herself was at the house and responded to authorities, and to their questions, and appeared in good health.
But Curtis, who’d worked as a nurse at Florida Hospital Flagler, went on to drive around the neighborhood, then onto State Road 100, where he ended his life with a gun after parking his car by the side of the road.
At 11:05 this morning, Fire Flight returned to its base at the Flagler County airport. It was not immediately clear why the helicopter had returned to base. Shortly after 11:30 a.m., Fire Flight was back, circling above the P-Section neighborhood again.
Jenn says
Omg how horrible. I hope they find get and get her help.
Steve says
WOW P section what a surprise …..Not
James Miles says
I’m her husband and we’ve been separated for 9 months and no she won’t get help I (we) tried for 10 years and here where we are.
Linda Johnsen says
There are times when many of us wish we were not around, or life is too tough, and think an easy out is suicide. I am not a religious person, however, I do not believe that killing oneself is an option. The people left behind will suffer more than you have and you are ruining many things in the process. Also, you are using and wasting the services of all involved in trying to stop you…..
What if because of your selfishness, others who truly need these resources and services die or suffer due to your own personal problems.
It is not a P section thing, this is a people thing. P=People.
You do not have the right to bring other innocents in to your personal hell. This is not acceptable, or excusable.
J.J. says
How does a suicidal woman make the P section a bad section? This is a very quiet area & I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in Palm Coast. It’s a very sad situation.
Francesca says
Any update? Haven’t heard the helicopters in a while..
Laurie says
True hope, joy and peace in life, only comes from one source, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please dear lady, don’t hurt yourself. Let people help you,, and try getting to know Jesus. All is not hopeless, you are a precious human being.
CB Section says
There is nothing wrong with the P section that a bulldozer can’t fix.
James Miles says
Standoff at the house with poilce
The Truth says
Steve: Do you think the P section is the only section in Palm Coast that has people who have thoughts of suicide? These comments become tired and old after a while.
Really says
Hoping the best for her and LEO are safe. The “P” section is on FIRE figuratively . Smh
Linda Johnsen says
James Miles:
I am saddened for you and this horrendous situation. I truly wish the best for both of you. I admire a man who recognizes a problem and seeks help. Hope I did not sound to heartless in my earlier post. I really would like to see her live and learn from this. You sir will be alright!
Anonymous says
Palm Coast is not alone in having this problem: There is a dearth of appropriate and affordable Mental Health treatment programs in cities and towns all over this country. This a public health emergency.
Linda Johnsen says
I didn’t realize she was being Baker Acted. Please try to get her to UF Shands, not Stewart-Marchman in Daytona. Asap.
Mark says
@ Jame Miles
Do everything you can, don’t give up. Help is out there, it just takes time to find it. I have been dealing with this stuff for the last seven years and it takes alot of work to find the right people in Flagler, Volusia and St Johns.
MannyHMo says
Did I read this correctly that the weapon would be released to her if she’s the rightfull owner ?
Substance abuse can simulate any mental illness. That has to be addressed seriously.
Mirror Man says
Guess what P section? Now you know how it feels to be labeled or described in code. You know how some people like to sneakingly describe certain races by saying abstract phrase’s such as “That’s Ghetto”, “Bunch of Thugs” “Hood’ or you know how “THEY” are.
It’s not fun is it? Think about it the next time you yourself decide to generalize a whole race or neighborhood.
Jenn says
@ James I am very sorry to hear she won’t get help. Prayers to you and the family.
r&r says
Truth. You hear a lot of negative comments on the P section. Are they ALL wrong?
C'mon man says
They should send her an invoice and make her pay for all resources she used
Linze says
The P section is like all the rest of Palm Coast, has some bad areas,
Some people who would rather be a crook or dopehead
James Miles says
Thanks for all the well wishes.. Linda your good I feel the same.The just called and said she’s in ICU on a ventilator. They have told me to wait for a call. If I say what I want to say about Stewart this prob wouldn’t get posted.
Jenn says
@ James why is she on ventilator did she od? I am truly sorry you are dealing with this. Many prayers coming your way. I hope all works out for her and you.
Linda Johnsen says
Hello @James. Is she at Florida Flagler Hospital? Do you know why she was intubated? Please try to find out asap what the plan is and get your questions answered if possible. Being on a ventilator is serious and I’m hoping this will be good in the days to come. Truly hope she can go elsewhere as we talked about. Keep us updated. Linda
JAMES MILES says
Well no one seems to know why, one nurse told me she came in like that
Another told me she was unresponsive and then someone
Did it, I asked if she stopped breathing, they said no she just
wouldn’t open eyes or talk…. they took her off last night… thanks
James Miles says
And Doctor told me no drugs were found in her system
Linda Johnsen says
James… Very seldom is someone intubated before they arrive at the hospital. Not all of the Paramedics and EMTs are trained and usually cannot risk this dangerous procedure in an ambulance. It only takes about 12 minutes from where she was to the hospital.In general if someone is breathing, they may do a BiPap, which is less invasive. If she was breathing, I am a bit stunned they used this as it is generally for COPD, and major breathing issues. I am glad she is off and will maybe need physical therapy if her throat is affected from this. No drugs. Cool.. I hope you or someone, a family member or friend is keeping really good notes. Please. Let us know and updates appreciated. You sound like a good, caring man.. Never asked about children, as it is not my place. If there are kids, guide them….Linda.
Jenn says
@james that it’s great news.
Jenn says
@james. How is she doing? How are you doing? My prayers are coming your way.
Rick Kang says
Just give this woman all your prayers and love! This could have happen in any section, so do NOT point blame at the P section!
Jenn says
It doesn’t matter what section stop making that an issue. Like Rick King said just send prayers for this woman and her family.