PC David Rathband shot by gunman Raoul Moat found dead

British police officer David Rathband, who was shot and left blinded by Raoul Moat in 2010, was found dead in his home in Blyth, Northumberland, Wednesday night.

It is believed that PC Rathband committed suicide.

Rathband became blind after he was shot in the face by Moat in July 2010.  Hours before the shooting, Moat had shot his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart, and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, in Birtley.

PC Rathband was sitting in his patrol car at the time of the shooting.

Moat then went on the run for about a week before committing suicide.

Last November, 44-year-old Rathband announced on Twitter that after 20 years of being with his wife, Kath, they decided to end their marriage.

Reports say Rathband was in Australia for a four-week trip where he had surgery to remove piece of shrapnel from his face.

Hour before returning home to England this week, Rathband wrote on Twitter that final efforts to rescue his marriage had failed.  He also went on to say “lost my sight, my job, my wife and my marriage….flying back on Monday and will say goodbye to my children.”

In another tweet he wrote, ‘RIP PC Rathband.

Police conducting a welfare check at Rathband’s house tonight found him dead.