Officials said the deaths of two men found in northern Idaho could be connected to an escaped inmate and an alleged accomplice who led police on a 36-hour manhunt earlier this week.
The bodies of James L. Mauney, 83, and Gerald “Don” Henderson, 72, were each found on Wednesday, more than a day after inmate Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour allegedly ambushed police during a medical transport in Boise.
On Thursday, investigators said Meade and Umphenour may have been responsible for Mauney and Henderson’s deaths in northern Idaho.
Mauney’s body was found in a secluded area near Leland, a more than five-hour drive from Boise. Henderson was killed at his residence in a secluded area outside Orofino, about 45 minutes from Leland, police said.
Meade and Umphenour were taken into custody Thursday after a short car chase, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said. No gunfire was exchanged during the arrests, and there was no “extensive use of force,” he said.
After fleeing police in a stolen Honda Civic early Tuesday morning, Meade and Umphenour drove north and encountered Mauney while he was walking his dogs, a white Jack Russell terrier and a brown Chesapeake Bay retriever, officials said. They were taken and driven east in a different car. Law enforcement officers found the abandoned Honda and Mauney’s body nearby on Wednesday.
On the same day, the body of Henderson was found along with Mauney’s dogs, who were still alive, and a pair of shackles belonging to Meade, police said. Detectives believe Henderson may have been acquainted with both suspects, but they do not think Mauney knew Meade and Umphenour.
Meade and Umphenour appeared before a judge in Twin Falls Friday afternoon, each facing $2 million bail and wearing prison jumpsuits. They said very little during their short arraignments.
Meade is facing one charge of felony escape. When asked if he had any questions about the case against him, he simply said: “No. Not at all.”
Umphenour was charged with…
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