3 Escapees Cornered by Posse Drown in Mississippi River
TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. — Three fugitives trapped in a swamp by a posse drowned when trying to swim the treacherous Mississippi River to a well-lighted steam plant that they may have mistaken for a city, authorities said Tuesday.
The bodies of the men, two of them life-termers, were found by a fisherman and pulled from the river near New Madrid, Mo., early Tuesday.
They escaped from the Lake County Regional Correctional Facility Thursday night by using a homemade metal instrument to cut through the roof of the gym while a guard was busy with other inmates.
A posse, some members on horseback and others using tracking dogs, cornered the fugitives in woods near the river.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
