Jason McClurg: Accused Killer Escapes While Guards Watch Fourth Of July Fireworks

Jason McClurg took advantage of some patriotic prison guards and made a break from jail on Friday, leading to a manhunt for the accused killer.

A deputy in the jail in Eminence, Missouri, took a group of nine inmates outside on Friday night to watch the Fourth of July fireworks. While they were watching the show, McClurg picked the perfect moment and made a break for it, running away and out of reach of the guard.

Sheriff Steven Blunkall said he is still piecing together details of just how Jason McClurg got away. Blunkall said he wasn’t sure if McClurg was in handcuffs, or whether he may have had outside help in the escape.

McClurg is considered armed and dangerous. In May, he was arrested and accused of killing his wife in their home in Winona. Police said McClurg mixed prescription medication with Kool-Aid, then convinced his wife to drink it by saying their young child made it for her.

Though it didn’t work on the first attempt, McClurg tried again the next day and was able to kill his wife. A source reportedly told detectives that McClurg then tried to throw a pill capsule behind a couch to make it look like a suicide attempt.

In the days after her death, Jason posted message on Facebook mourning his wife.

“To my wife Stephanie McClurg our wedding song, I miss and love u so much and I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you I tried so hard baby,” he wrote.

This isn’t the first daring prison escape to make the news in recent weeks. In May, two different inmates escaped from a minimum security prison in the course of a week. Both made a break by hopping a fence, including one sex offender who was scheduled to be released within a few days of his escape.

Betty Bernt, Oregon Department of Corrections communications manager, said:

“Of course we are concerned that this is the second inmate escape. Both incidents will receive a thorough review by DOC, as well as a state police investigation. All security protocols will be scrutinized.”

Authorities said escaped inmate Jason McClurg is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds with blonde hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos.