The Alabama Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that fugitive murder suspect Casey Cole White and missing correctional officer Vicki White, who is suspected of helping him escape, had a “special relationship.” The sheriff’s office did not provide any additional information about the alleged connection.
“Investigators received information from Lauderdale County Detention Center over the weekend that there was a special relationship between Director White and inmate Casey White,” a statement from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office said. “This connection has already been confirmed by our investigation from independent sources and means.”
The U.S. Marshall Service said Tuesday that the couple was last seen Friday in Rodgersville, Alabama – about 30 minutes east of Lauderdale County – driving a 2007 gold / copper Ford Edge with unknown Alabama license plates. In a new statement, the Marshals Service called Vicki White a “wanted fugitive” and offered a $ 5,000 reward for her whereabouts. There is already a $ 10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Casey Cole White.
The Marshals Office said Casey Cole White, 38, was 6’9 “, weighed approximately 330 pounds and had brown hair and hazel eyes. he has blond hair and brown eyes. She was also reportedly reported to have “gait”.
Photos of the vehicle in which the couple was last seen. US Marshals Service
It is not yet clear what led to Casey Cole White’s escape from the detention center on Friday. Authorities said earlier that Vicki White, the assistant director of corrections, told other officials Friday morning that she was leaving Casey Cole White at the mental health court and then going to a doctor for medical help. for my self. White has spent more than 15 years in the department, officials said, noting that Friday should have been her last working day before retiring.
Shortly after 11 a.m., someone found her patrol car in a mall parking lot, officials said Friday. Officials learned at approximately 3:30 p.m. that day that they could not find Vicki and that Casey had not been returned to custody.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton told reporters Friday night that there was no planned mental health assessment. He also said her decision to take Casey to court alone violated the department’s policy, which would require at least two deputies to transport him.
Casey Cole White and Vicki White are seen in a photo combination. Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
On Monday, Singleton said surveillance footage showed the patrol vehicle was seen at a red light about two blocks from the mall’s parking lot just eight minutes after the two left the detention center.
“There was not enough time to even try to come to the courtroom,” he said.
Singleton said Monday that authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Vicky to “allow or facilitate first-degree escape.” Asked if he believed Vicki had helped Casey escape, Singleton said: “We know she was involved.”
“Now, whether she did it voluntarily or if she was forced, threatened in some way to take part in the escape, I’m not very sure – but we know for sure that she did,” he added.
Singleton said he and other officials were stunned by what happened. “Those of us who have worked with Vicki White and worked with her for years – this is not Vicki White that we know, according to every degree of imagination,” he said. “She was an exemplary employee.”
Additional photos of Casey Cole White and Vicki White published by the authorities. US Marshals Service
Prior to his disappearance, Casey White was being held in Lauderdale County Jail pending trial for murder. Authorities said he was considered armed and dangerous and urged residents to call 911 instead of standing up to him if they saw him.
Officials said the couple is not related, although they have the same last name.
Victoria Albert
Victoria Albert is a senior news editor at CBS News. Contact her at victoria.albert@viacomcbs.com
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