A Mt. Holly woman died by a gunshot to her head while in a car in Killington Wednesday night, state police say.

The victim is identified as Brittany Bouthiette, 28, of Mt. Holly. Following an autopsy performed Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, the cause of her death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is listed as pending.

According to initial investigation and witness statements, Bouthiette was a passenger in a westbound vehicle driven by her boyfriend, Cody Ahonen, 28, of Mt. Holly. Ahonen stated that Bouthiette indicated she was despondent and pulled out a semiautomatic handgun. Ahonen reported that after a struggle over the weapon, Bouthiette shot herself. Ahonen stopped the vehicle and attempted to render first aid to Bouthiette, while a passerby called 911. Ahonen also subsequently called 911. Bouthiette was pronounced deceased on scene.

The Killington Police Department joined members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Search Team and Field Force Division in responding to the incident.

The death investigation is ongoing, and police continue to ask that anyone with information that might be relevant contact the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland at 802-773-9101.