Vicky & Casey White’s Prison Escape & Manhunt explained

Warning: Contains spoilers for Jailbreak: Love on the RunNetflix’s 2024 documentary, Jailbreak: Love on the runProvides an in-depth examination of the prison escape of convict Casey White and correctional officer Vicki White. Although they share the same last name, the two are unrelated, but during Casey’s imprisonment, they unexpectedly fall in love. A long time followed their escape from the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Alabama, which sadly led to Vicki’s death and Casey’s arrest.

Jailbreak: Love on the runPart of Netflix’s exciting slate of true crime shows, it focuses on how respected prison officer Vicki White becomes involved in such a high-stakes criminal escape. Through interviews with investigators, Vicky’s co-workers, and Casey’s fellow inmates, The documentary reveals surprising new insights into the couple’s relationship and the prison break. As Stockman recalls to Tudum“What made Vicki’s story so surprising was how trapped she felt and how little her co-workers knew about her private life.“

Who Vicki and Casey White are and how they met

Vicki White was a correctional officer at the Lauderdale County Jail in Alabama for almost 20 years, and she was well-liked during her employment. She was second in command as the Assistant Director of Prisons and was considered an ideal employee by everyone. she”commanded respectAccording to Sheriff Rick Singleton, of coworkers and convicts alike, with some of the latter even considering her a mother figure. Everyone who knew Vicki was shocked by her choice to help Casey White escapeincluding District Attorney Chris Connolly, who explained, “I would trust her with my life” (Per CNN).

Years have passed since Casey White, a dangerous criminal with a violent past, was incarcerated. He was charged with the 2015 capital murder of Connie Ridgeway in 2020 and transferred to the Lauderdale County Jail for his arraignment, where he met Vicki White. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, the two kept in touch even after Casey returned to state prison. Over the next two years, they exchanged 949 phone calls, developing what authorities refer to as a “Special relationship.” The alliance eventually resulted in Vicki orchestrating Casey’s daring escape.

In the weeks leading up to the escape, Vicki Weiss made some unusual decisionsraising suspicion in the background. She sold her home for $95,550, well below its market value of $235,600, and bought a 2007 Ford Edge under a false name. On April 29, Vicki told colleagues that she was taking Casey to a mental health evaluation and would seek medical attention afterward, but no such appointments were scheduled. She used her trusted reputation to exploit prison policies, leading Casey, handcuffed and shackled, out of the facility. Their escape triggered an 11-day nationwide manhunt.

How Vicki White helped Casey White escape prison in 2022

Casey, held in the A1 cell, which Vicky took over because of the crush, started writing her love letters from the prison commissar. Although Vicky is known for her professionalism, It later came to light that the two had been communicating by phone since August 2021Exchanging calls, including phone sex. During Casey’s detention, Vicky also gave him extra meals and other special treatment. On the day of the escape, there were only five deputies, which made the security.

Vicky White chained Casey White on April 29, 2022, and informed her coworkers that she was taking him to the local courts for a mental health assessment. They left at 9:41 in the morning, and when they did not return at 3:30 in the afternoon, the staff became suspicious. After watching security tape, police noticed Vicki escorting Casey alone, which is against the rules when it comes to transporting dangerous criminals. Vicki was later charged with aiding and abetting the escape When her patrol car was discovered abandoned at a nearby shopping center and an arrest warrant was issued for her.

Using an orange 2007 Ford Edge that they eventually abandoned in Tennessee and replaced with a blue 2006 Ford F-150, The pair managed to evade capture for 11 days. They traveled north, staying at various motels, Vicki changing her appearance by wearing a wig or dyeing her hair. Authorities received a critical tip on May 9, 2022, from a car wash employee who spotted their vehicle. The tip led investigators to the motel where they were staying in Evansville, Indiana, which ended the agricultural manhunt.

When and how Vicki and Casey White were caught by the police

Vicki and Casey White were spotted leaving a car wash in Evansville, Indiana, on May 9 following a tip, law enforcement officials, including local deputies, FBI agents, and US The chase ended when the officers collided with their car, which overturned it. Vicki White shot herself after the collisionAccording to Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding, while Casey White was taken into custody with only minor injuries. After the 11-day trial came to an end on Monday, authorities initially determined that Vicki was self-inflicted with her fatal gunshot wound.

Authorities revealed that Casey White may have been preparing for a violent confrontation with law enforcement. Sheriff Wedding said, “The fugitive went to engage in a shooting with society.“Casey White later confirmed that sentiment, admitting that he “is probably going to have a shootout” with the police, indicating the potential for a deadly standoff. Such additions highlight the serious risk both facing during their time on the run and the desperate lengths they are willing to go to avoid capture.

When law enforcement searched their Cadillac, they discovered four handguns, an AR-15 rifle, wigs, and about $29,000 in cash, believed to be from Vicki’s recent home sale. According to the Sheriff Wedding, the couple had been in Evansville for about a week, staying in a motel paid for by a third party, further demonstrating their determination to avoid police.

Vicky White’s death explained

Incident reports and 911 recordings offer vital facts about the final moments before Vicki White died. Near the end of the police chase with Vicki White and escaped prisoner Casey White, a 911 call is made. A woman’s voice, believed to be Vicky’s, can be heard saying, “stop” And “Wait, hold on… airbags are going to go off and kill us.A moment later, there are loud noises, and Vicki can be heard shouting, “Let’s get out and run“, just before the sirens start to sound. It was later confirmed by officers that she was holding a gun when they approached the car.

Officers who arrived at the scene saw Casey White trying to get out of the vehicle. After pulling him from the car, Casey told officers that “His wife“He shot himself. An officer’s report noted a “Small amount of blood” on Casey’s head. Vicky was found in the vehicle with a gunshot wound And a firecracker in her hand. Sheriff Dave Wedding confirmed to CNN that Vicki indicated during the chase that she had a gun.

Despite Casey White referring to Vicky as “His wife“, authorities confirmed that the two are not married. While breaking through the sunroof, the officers took Vicki out of the car and seized the gun she was holding. She died shortly after being taken to a hospital. Shots were not fired by law. Enforcement during the pursuit, as stated by Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton. The investigation continues as officials put together the final moments leading to Vicki’s death, and how the couple managed to Elude authorities during their 11-day escape.

What happened to Casey White and where he is today

Casey White is currently serving a life sentence at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Institution in Bessemer, Alabama, after being found guilty of a number of violent crimes. The Alabama Department of Corrections administers the facility, which is where White was previously housed after receiving a 75-year term for a string of crimes that included shootings, carjackings and home invasions. Later, he admitted guilt to avoid prosecution.

At a court hearing following his plea agreement, Casey White expressed his motives for fleeing, saying, “We just wanted a new life together because she knew the truth. I can handle the truth because I know who I am. I chose this path. It cost me my life and freedom.” Vicki White’s death was the focus of a felony murder charge that was dropped by the prosecution in return for a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

After the sentence he received for the fugitives was chronicled Jailbreak: Love on the runProsecutors successfully petition to stop Casey White’s capital prosecution for the 2015 killing of Connie Ridgeway. Ridgway’s family approved of the decision. On October 2015, Ridgeway’s body was discovered fatally stabbed in her apartment in Rogersville, Alabama. After five years, Casey White admitted to the murder. The Alabama Department of Corrections reports that White will not be able to apply for parole until January 1, 2061.

Sources: CNN, Tudum