TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho State Police are currently conducting an investigation surrounding a series of homicides linked to the escape of an inmate and an accomplice on Thursday. The escapees, identified as Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, managed to flee a Boise hospital following an assault on officers, utilizing a stolen Honda Civic as their means of escape. Authorities suspect that the pair continued their criminal activities as they traversed through Idaho.
It is believed that the two fugitives encountered 83-year-old James L. Mauney from Juliaetta, ID, who was reported missing after failing to return home from walking his dogs. Mauney and his pets were then reportedly taken to a remote area near Leland in Mauney’s silver Chrysler Pacifica, where the authorities discovered the abandoned stolen Honda Civic and Mauney’s deceased body in close proximity.
Law enforcement officials have stated that there is no indication Mauney had any prior acquaintance with the escapees. Additionally, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office responded to another homicide investigation involving 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson at his residence in Orofino the same day. Upon searching Henderson’s property, authorities located Mauney’s dogs and what they suspect to be Skylar Meade’s handcuffs, with the animals subsequently returned unharmed to Mauney’s family.
While there seems to be a potential connection between Henderson and the suspects, the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Tips and leads provided to the authorities led to the recovery of the stolen Chrysler Pacifica at a residence in Filer, believed to have been reached by the fugitives passing through Missoula, Montana.
A confrontation ensued as the police surrounded the Filer house where the vehicle was found, resulting in both Meade and Umphenour attempting to flee in separate vehicles. Meade was promptly apprehended nearby, while Umphenour was pursued and arrested shortly after. Both suspects were taken into custody without any gunfire exchange.
Following Meade’s arrest, a woman suspected of aiding in his attempted escape was also detained and booked into the Twin Falls County Jail. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two victims in this escapade are currently the subject of ongoing investigation.