Michigan Escaped Killer Last Seen In Indiana

A Michigan escaped killer was last seen in Indiana. Authorities said Michael David Elliot, age 40, escaped the Iona Correctional Facility on Sunday evening. Although he initially abducted a woman to steal her car, she escaped when he stopped for gas.

In 1993, Elliot and three friends broke into an occupied home. They suspects thought the homeowner was hiding drug money. When they did not find the money, Elliot and one of his friends proceeded to murder Vickie Currie, Kathy Lane, Bruce Tufnell, and Michael Tufnell.

When the victims were dead, the suspects set the home on fire and fled the scene. As reported by CNN, Elliot was eventually apprehended and arrested on four counts of murder. He was found guilty on all four counts of murder, armed robbery, and arson. He was sentenced to four life terms.

Twenty years later, the convicted killer has escaped. Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan said the inmate managed to break holes in two fences, which surround the perimeter of the facility. He then crawled through the holes and escaped the property.

Although he was discovered missing at around 9:30 pm, surveillance tapes suggest he left the facility between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Michigan Department of Corrections Director Dan Heyns has demanded “a very thorough investigation” into the breach:

‘It’s obvious that there were some flaws in our security, and that we need to ask what those are. We’ve already made a number of corrections just over the evening hours.”

Authorities believe Michael David Elliot planned and managed the escape without any help. Michigan’s escaped killer was last seen wearing black pants, a white t-shirt, and a blue hoodie. He is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5-foot-8 and weighs around 165 pounds.

Elliot was last seen driving a red 2004 Jeep Liberty with a Michigan license plate. The plate number is 5FTG55. Authorities said the Jeep has animal stickers on the rear window.

Indy Star reports he was last seen leaving a gas station near Middlebury in Elkhart County, Indiana. He reportedly drove onto Interstate 80/90, which is a toll road that runs east and west between Seattle, Washington, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Michigan State Police Lieutenant Troy Allen said anyone spotting the suspect or the vehicle should contact authorities immediately. Elliot should be considered armed and dangerous.

Although Michael David Elliot was convicted of a heinous crime, prison officials said “nothing in this man’s history would have indicated a high risk of escape… he was serving his time.” Authorities have initiated a nationwide manhunt, as they have idea where Michigan’s escaped killer is headed.