TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho State Police are currently investigating multiple homicides linked to the apprehension of an escaped inmate and his alleged accomplice. The harrowing events unfolded on Thursday as Skylar Meade, the inmate, and Nicholas Umphenour, his suspected accomplice, managed to flee from custody after a violent altercation with officers in Boise. As authorities delve deeper into the case, it becomes apparent that the fugitives perpetrated a string of crimes across Idaho.
The two fugitives reportedly crossed paths with 83-year-old James L. Mauney, who went missing under suspicious circumstances while walking his dogs in Juliaetta, ID. Tragically, Mauney and his pets were abducted and driven to a remote location near Leland, where law enforcement discovered the abandoned vehicle used in their escape along with Mauney’s lifeless body. Initial investigations suggest that Mauney had no prior association with the fugitives.
The unfolding chaos took a darker turn as the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate the homicide of 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson in Orofino. At the scene, authorities found Mauney’s dogs in Henderson’s residence along with items believed to belong to Skylar Meade. Fortunately, the dogs were safely returned to Mauney’s family unscathed. While Henderson’s relationship with the suspects remains unclear, authorities are diligently piecing together the puzzle.
Following leads and tips from the public, law enforcement successfully tracked down the stolen vehicle, a Chrysler Pacifica, to a residence in Filer. It is believed that the fugitives made their way to the house via Missoula, Montana. A swift operation was conducted, leading to the apprehension of Meade and Umphenour as they attempted to flee in separate vehicles. The arrests were made without incident, with no reports of gunfire exchanged during the operation.
In a subsequent development, Tonia Huber was also apprehended in connection to Meade’s escape and subsequently booked into Twin Falls County Jail. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the victims involved in the escape are still under scrutiny. The trio appeared in court on Friday to have their bonds determined, with Meade and Umphenour being held on a $2 million bond each, while Huber’s bond was set at $500,000.
The community remains on edge as the investigation unfolds, shedding light on the alarming series of events that transpired before the fugitives were finally captured. The Idaho State Police continue to work diligently to piece together the timeline of events and bring justice to the victims and their families affected by this shocking ordeal.