TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho State Police are conducting a thorough investigation into a series of homicides that have been linked to the escape of an inmate and his accomplice. The two fugitives, identified as Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, managed to break free from custody during an altercation with officers in Boise before embarking on a crime spree across the state.
Law enforcement officials suspect that Meade and Umphenour came into contact with 83-year-old James L. Mauney, a resident of Juliaetta, ID who was reported missing after taking his dogs for a walk. Tragically, Mauney and his pets were abducted and transported to a remote area near Leland, where authorities discovered Mauney’s body in close proximity to an abandoned vehicle.
Meanwhile, in Orofino, authorities responded to the scene of another homicide involving 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson. Upon searching Henderson’s residence, officials found evidence tying the suspects to the crime, including Meade’s handcuffs and Mauney’s missing dogs, which were unharmed.
Following leads from the community, law enforcement located the stolen Chrysler Pacifica associated with the suspects at a residence in Filer. The authorities believe that Meade and Umphenour had traveled through Missoula, Montana to reach the location. A swift operation led to the arrest of both men, with no exchange of gunfire during the apprehension.
During the arrest of Skylar Meade, another individual named Tonia Huber was also taken into custody for aiding in his escape. All three suspects made their initial court appearances on Friday, with Meade and Umphenour being held on a $2 million bond each, while Huber’s bond was set at $500,000. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mauney and Henderson remain under investigation as law enforcement continues to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incidents.