Murderer Serving Life Sentence Escapes Michigan Prison

Johnny Wadd · #1 ● 02-03-2014, 11:58 AM

Authorities in the US state of Michigan have launched a manhunt for a convicted multiple murderer who escaped from prison on Sunday.

Michael David Elliot, 40, was noted missing at 21:30 local time on Sunday (02:30 GMT on Monday).

Sentenced in 1994 to life for four murders, he dug holes under two prison fences to make his escape, police said.

He was last seen at a petrol station, where a woman he abducted and ordered to drive him escaped, police said.

Elliot was still at large on Monday morning after his escape from Ionia Correctional Facility. Several law enforcement agencies including the Michigan State Police are involved in the search.

He was last seen driving a four-door red Jeep with Michigan number plates.

Police do not know what direction he fled after leaving the petrol station, but believe he had only enough fuel to get about 100 miles (161 km).

The LaGrange County Sheriff's Department says the woman who was allegedly abducted by Elliot called authorities from a concealed mobile phone while he filled up the petrol tank.

A dispatcher told the woman to run into the station toilet, lock the doors and remain inside until police arrived.

Elliot had fled by the time officers arrived.

All other inmates at Ionia prison have been accounted for, Michigan corrections department spokesman Russ Marlan told the Associated Press news agency.