ALABAMA (AP) – A former Alabama jail official on the run with a murder suspect she was accused of helping escape shot and killed herself on Monday as authorities caught up with the pair after more than a week of searching, officials said. The man she fled with surrendered.
The death of Vicky White, 56, only deepened the mystery of why a respected jail official would leave everything to help free Casey White, 38, no relation, a hulking inmate with a violent and frightening history.
The fugitives were caught – following a manhunt through three states – in Indiana, when United States (US) Marshals chasing them crashed into their vehicle, authorities said.
Casey White gave himself up and Vicky White shot herself and was taken to a hospital, authorities said. Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said she died from her injuries.
The manhunt began on April 29 when assistant director of corrections for the jail Vicky White, allegedly helped Casey White, who was awaiting trial in a capital murder case, escape.
On Monday, officials learnt that the pair was spotted near the sheriff’s office, said Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding in Indiana. As officers arrived, the pair fled in a vehicle. US Marshals collided with them “to try to end the pursuit”, he said.
Casey White was injured in the crash and Vicky White then shot herself, causing “very serious” injuries, he said.
Casey White was serving a 75-year prison sentence for attempted murder and other charges at the time of his escape. He was awaiting trial in the stabbing of a 58-year-old woman during a burglary in 2015.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
