TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Idaho State Police are currently investigating a string of homicides linked to the escape of an inmate and his accomplice. Authorities are working diligently to piece together the events that transpired after the escape and capture of Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour. The two men managed to escape from custody, perpetrating a series of crimes as they made their way through Idaho.
The chain of events began with the escape of Meade and Umphenour from a hospital in Boise, where they violently attacked officers before fleeing in a stolen Honda Civic. The duo’s criminal actions escalated as they encountered 83-year-old James L. Mauney in Juliaetta, ID, who was reported missing after walking his dogs and failing to return home.
Tragically, Mauney and his pets were abducted and transported to a remote area near Leland, where authorities later discovered Mauney’s lifeless body near an abandoned Honda Civic. Investigators have determined that Mauney had no prior connection to the two escapees, further deepening the mystery surrounding the unfolding events.
As the investigation unfolded on Thursday, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office was summoned to the scene of another homicide involving 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson at his residence in Orofino. At Henderson’s home, authorities uncovered critical evidence linking the crimes, including Mauney’s dogs and suspected handcuffs belonging to Meade.
Following leads provided by the community, law enforcement located the stolen Chrysler Pacifica at a residence in Filer, believed to be the next stop on the fugitives’ path. A swift operation led to the apprehension of Meade and Umphenour, with no exchange of gunfire occurring during the arrests. Additional arrests were made, including Tonia Huber, who was booked into Twin Falls County Jail in connection to the escape.
The investigation is ongoing, as authorities work tirelessly to determine the cause and manner of death for the victims. In the meantime, all three suspects have made their initial court appearances, with Meade and Umphenour being held on a $2 million bond each, and Huber on a $500,000 bond. The community remains on edge as they await further updates on the harrowing series of events that unfolded in their midst.