US police say they have captured an escaped inmate after a 10-day manhunt, and that a guard suspected of helping him has died after shooting herself.
Murder suspect Casey White, 38, is in custody while Vicky White, 56, died in hospital following their arrest in Indiana.
The pair vanished from a Lauderdale County, Alabama, prison on 29 April.
They are believed to have been romantically involved.
According to officials, they were last seen as she was transporting him to a bogus mental health evaluation.
It was Ms White’s last day at work before retirement. She had recently sold her home and told colleagues she planned to spend more time at the beach.
Late on Monday, the Vanderburgh County Coroners Office confirmed that Vicky White died in a local hospital after shooting herself during the pair’s arrest.
More information on her death is expected to be released on Tuesday following an autopsy.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said earlier that the couple’s vehicle crashed after a police chase in Evansville, Indiana, at which point Casey White surrendered.
“We got a dangerous man off the street today. He is never going to see the light of day again,” he said.
The US Marshals Service said the two had previously been last seen on Friday driving a copper-coloured Ford Edge with an Alabama registration plate.
On Monday, Sheriff Singleton described the 6ft 9in Casey White as “extremely dangerous” and advised law enforcement not to “take any chances” with him.
Meanwhile, Ms White had a spotless record as a prison guard.
“I would have trusted Vicky with my life. I really mean it,” Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly told reporters. “If we needed something from the jail, she was our go-to person, solid employee. That’s why it’s so shocking.”
Casey White was charged in September 2020 with murder over the stabbing of 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway. He was already serving 75 years for a series of violent crimes in 2015, including burglary, vehicle theft and a police chase.
According to authorities, he allegedly confessed to the murder, but later pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and was awaiting trial at the Lauderdale County Jail when he disappeared.
He faces execution if convicted.
BBC /Taiwo Akinola
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