Casey White prison escape and death of Vicky White
In April 2022, Lauderdale County, Alabama corrections officer Vicky White helped inmate Casey White escape from jail; an 11-day nationwide manhunt ended in Evansville, Indiana, when a police chase ended in a crash and Vicky White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
On April 29, 2022, Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections at the Lauderdale County Jail in Florence, Alabama, escorted inmate Casey White from the detention center under the pretext of taking him to a scheduled mental health evaluation at the county courthouse. Casey White, who was awaiting trial on capital murder charges related to the 2015 stabbing death of Connie Ridgeway and was already serving a 75-year sentence for a 2015 crime spree, never returned to custody. Surveillance video captured Casey in handcuffs and leg shackles being placed in a patrol vehicle. Deputies grew suspicious after checking the courthouse schedule and finding no hearings or evaluations listed for that day, and after learning that inmates being transported to court are normally accompanied by two deputies rather than one.
Investigators later determined that Vicky White had sold her property well below its assessed value shortly before the escape, had purchased firearms, men's clothing, and vehicles, and had given Casey White special treatment and privileges during his incarceration. Authorities said this treatment developed into a romantic relationship that may have begun in 2020. Vicky White had been set to retire the day of the escape but had not finalized her retirement paperwork. She was terminated from her position, and arrest warrants were issued for her on May 2 and May 6, 2022.
The search for the pair expanded from a statewide to a nationwide manhunt. Investigators traced the couple's movements through an abandoned getaway vehicle in Tennessee, a pickup truck, and multiple motel stays, with Vicky White altering her appearance using a dark wig. On May 9, 2022, authorities in Evansville, Indiana, identified the pair via surveillance footage and located them at a motel. A police chase followed on US Highway 41, ending when a police vehicle caused their car to crash into a ditch. Casey White surrendered without incident. Vicky White suffered a gunshot wound to the head; she was taken to a hospital and died from her injuries. The Vanderburgh County coroner ruled her death a suicide.
Casey White was returned to Alabama after waiving extradition proceedings. He was initially charged with felony murder under Alabama's felony murder rule in connection with Vicky White's death, based on the theory that her death occurred during the commission of the escape. In May 2023, Casey White entered a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to first-degree prison escape, and in exchange the felony murder charge related to Vicky White's death was dropped. Vicky White was buried at Center Hill Cemetery in Lexington, Alabama, on May 14, 2022; approximately 200 people attended her funeral.
Evansville, Indiana (capture site); escape originated in Florence, Alabama
Case status
solved
Case timeline
2015
Casey White commits a crime spree, including offenses for which he is later sentenced to 75 years; he also allegedly commits the stabbing death of Connie Ridgeway.
2016-03
Casey White is sentenced to 75 years in prison on seven counts including attempted murder and robbery.
2020
Casey White allegedly confesses to the 2015 stabbing death of Connie Ridgeway while incarcerated; a romantic relationship between Casey White and Vicky White may begin around this time.
2022-04-29
Vicky White escorts Casey White from the Lauderdale County Jail in Florence, Alabama, under the pretext of a courthouse mental health evaluation; the two do not return.
2022-05-02
An arrest warrant is issued for Vicky White.
2022-05-06
A second arrest warrant is issued for Vicky White.
2022-05-09
Law enforcement locates the pair in Evansville, Indiana; a police chase ends in a crash. Casey White surrenders; Vicky White suffers a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later dies at a hospital.
2022-05-14
Vicky White is interred at Center Hill Cemetery in Lexington, Alabama.
2022-06-13
A judge denies Casey White's motion for a preliminary hearing on the escape charge and refers the case to a grand jury.
2022-07-11
Casey White is charged with felony murder for the death of Vicky White under Alabama's felony murder rule.
2023-05-05
Casey White pleads guilty to first-degree prison escape as part of a plea deal; the felony murder charge related to Vicky White's death is dropped.
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Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
Kendall Rae / 38 min
Desperate Jailhouse Romance Gone Wrong: The Fatal Escape of Casey White & Vicky White
People
Connie Ridgeway
VICTIM
59-year-old victim in a 2015 stabbing death to which Casey White allegedly confessed; he was charged with capital murder in connection with her death.
Vicky White
VICTIM
Corrections officer who facilitated Casey White's escape and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the manhunt's conclusion; her death was ruled a suicide.
Casey White
CONVICTED
Pleaded guilty on 2023-05-05 to first-degree prison escape; a felony murder charge tied to Vicky White's death was dropped as part of the plea deal. Separately serving a 75-year sentence for a 2015 crime spree and previously charged with capital murder in the death of Connie Ridgeway.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
In April 2022, Lauderdale County, Alabama corrections officer Vicky White helped inmate Casey White escape from jail; an 11-day nationwide manhunt ended in Evansville, Indiana, when a police chase ended in a crash and Vicky White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Where did the crime happen?
Evansville, Indiana (capture site); escape originated in Florence, Alabama.
Who was convicted?
Casey White (Pleaded guilty on 2023-05-05 to first-degree prison escape; a felony murder charge tied to Vicky White's death was dropped as part of the plea deal. Separately serving a 75-year sentence for a 2015 crime spree and previously charged with capital murder in the death of Connie Ridgeway.).
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