The correctional officer at an Alabama prison who disappeared with a suspected killer was romantically involved with the inmate and helped him escape, local authorities said.
The prisoner, Casey Cole White, 38, disappeared this Friday when he was being transferred by prison officer Vicky White, 56 (both share a last name by chance and have no family relationship), who is also missing.
Inmates at the Lauderdale County Detention Center where White was being held awaiting trial for murder told investigators the inmate and the officer were having an affair, Sheriff Rick Singleton told NBC News on Monday.
Singleton released a statement Tuesday saying his agents had confirmed "with independent sources and media that there was
'a special relationship between the Whites,'"
local newspaper al.com reported.
Casey Cole White, left, and Vicky White. US Marshals Service, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office via AP
The prisoner disappeared when the prison guard was taking him to a supposed mental evaluation appointment.
Authorities have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
The prisoner is charged with two counts of murder for stabbing a 58-year-old woman to death.
He confessed to the crime while he was already in jail serving another 75-year sentence for various crimes, including breaking and entering and carjacking.
Vicky White planned to retire and Friday was going to be her last day: she had sold her house a month ago and "talked about going to the beach".
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arrest warrant against the officer
The sheriff said Monday that they had also issued an arrest warrant for Vicky White for allowing an escape.
The woman not only lied saying that she was taking the prisoner to a date that did not exist, but that she did not follow the protocol of doing it with another agent and not alone, according to the sheriff.
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The inmate measures six feet and 9 inches (2.06 meters) and weighs about 260 pounds (about 118 kilos).
Authorities warned that anyone seeing the pair should not approach them.
“We consider both to be dangerous and in all likelihood armed,” federal agent Marty Keely said at a news conference Monday.
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“We know that [the officer] participated, whether she did it of her own free will or if she was coerced, threatened in some way, we're not sure.
We know for a fact that she was involved,” the sheriff said.
White had been an exemplary employee and jail employees said they were "just devastated," according to the sheriff: "This is not the Vicky White we know, far from it."
Her mother, Pat Davis, told station WAAY that she was shocked and feared for her daughter's life: “As a mother, I didn't know how to act because at first I thought it was a mistake.
And then when I knew for sure that it was, I was in disbelief."
"We just want her back," he added, "she's never done anything, I bet she didn't even get a speeding ticket."
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"I would kill his ex-girlfriend if he could"
Casey White, who was serving a 75-year prison sentence awaiting trial on a murder charge, said in 2015 that he would kill his ex-girlfriend if he had the chance, according to court documents.
Casey White.
Lauderdale Sheriff's Office
“[He] stated that he wanted to kill her and for the police to kill him,” according to a December 2015 police report reported by Fox News.
"The only thing he regretted was that neither was successful," the document added.
"He's definitely a monster," said Austin Williams, the son of Connie Ridgeway, a woman White allegedly attacked.
"Casey White is extremely dangerous and we have to get him off the street," the sheriff said.
The Marshals Service said anyone with information on the location of the inmate or corrections officer can call 1-800-336-0102.