Inmate Casey White, left, and Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White.
(Picture: AP)A female prison guard who went on the run with a murder suspect after helping him escape from jail died after shooting herself as the pair were caught, police said.
Vicky White, 58, died in hospital after she and Casey White, 38, were arrested in Indiana following a manhunt through three states 10 days after the pair left the prison where she worked and he was being held in Alabama.
The two fugitives, who are not related, were caught in Evansville, Indiana, when US Marshals chasing them crashed into their vehicle, authorities said.
Casey gave himself up and Vicky shot herself and was taken to a hospital. Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said she died from her injuries.
The manhunt began on April 29 when Vicky, the assistant director of corrections for Lauderdale County jail, apparently helped engineer the escape of Casey who was awaiting trial in a murder case. The pair are believed to have been romantically involved.
Vicky White had told co-workers she was taking the inmate from the jail for a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but the two instead fled the area.
It was her last day at work before retirement. She had recently sold her home and told colleagues she planned to spend more time at the beach.
The car they took off in was later found abandoned in Tennessee, but there was no trace of the pair until US Marshals received a tip on Sunday the pair could be in Evansville.
On Monday when they were found by police the pair fled in a vehicle and led police on a pursuit before US Marshals collided with them “to try to end the pursuit”, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said.
Mr Wedding added Casey was injured, not too seriously, in the crash and Vicky then shot herself, causing “very serious” injuries.
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.
A warrant was issued on May 2 for Vicky charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said he hoped to get answers from his once trusted jail employee about her actions but acknowledged those answers might not come.
“I had every bit of trust in Vicky White. She has been an exemplary employee. What in the world provoked her, prompted her to pull a stunt like this? I don’t know. I don’t know if we’ll ever know,” Mr Singleton said.
Her family members and co-workers said they were stunned by her involvement.
Mr Singleton said it appeared the plan had been in the works for some time. Jail inmates said the two had a special relationship and she gave Casey White better treatment than other inmates.
