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- BBC News World
Updated 2 hours
image source, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
Inmate Casey White and Officer Vicky White shared a last name, but were not related.
The escape of the prisoner and the prison officer who accompanied him from an Alabama prison 10 days ago ended tragically on Monday.
After a police chase in Indiana, hundreds of miles from where they escaped, the vehicle in which the couple was traveling crashed.
Murder suspect Casey White, 38, was taken into custody, while Vicky White (who was not related to the man), 56, was taken to a hospital where she died hours later.
The couple, who is believed to have been in a romantic relationship, disappeared from the Lauderdale County Jail, Alabama, on April 29, when she was transferring him to an alleged medical appointment that turned out to be false.
This was the agent’s last day on the job before her retirement. Shortly before, she sold her house and told colleagues that she planned to spend more time on the beach.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton explained that the couple’s vehicle collided following a police chase in Evansville, Indiana, and the prisoner turned himself in.
Local media quoted Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding as saying the deputy was driving during the chase and later shot herself.
Sheriff Singleton declined to comment on this alleged self-harm.
“I hope he survives. We wish Vicky no harm in terms of her health, her well-being. But she has some answers to give us and we hope to have the opportunity to give them to us, “Singleton said before learning of the woman’s death.
The US Marshals Service said the fugitives were seen last Friday in a copper-colored vehicle with an Alabama license plate.
image source, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Singleton described the 2m tall Casey White as “extremely dangerous” and advised law enforcement officers “not to mess around” with him.
Vicky White had an exemplary record as a prison guard.
“I would have trusted him with my life. I really mean it”Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly told reporters.
“Whenever we needed something from the prison, she was the person we went to, a solid employee. That’s why it’s so amazing.”
Casey White was charged in September 2020 with murder in the stabbing of 58-year-old woman Connie Ridgeway. He was already serving a 75-year prison sentence for a series of violent crimes in 2015, including home and car robberies and a police chase.
He allegedly confessed to the murder but later pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity or insanity and was awaiting trial at the Lauderdale County Jail when he disappeared, authorities added.
If found guilty, he might be sentenced to death.
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