Inmate Missing Since 1999 Surrenders


An inmate missing since 1999 surrendered to authorities in Oklahoma early Friday morning. The man, David Lee Kemp, was the only inmate to elude capture after he escaped with eight other inmates on March 11, 1999.

At the time, Kemp, who hails from Lawton, Oklahoma, was awaiting trial on two first-degree murder counts for the killings of his ex-wife and her boyfriend.

Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley stated that the inmate missing since 1999 told police he was tired of running when he turned himself in.

Records for the Comanche County Jail show that Kemp was taken into custody around 1:40 am on Friday. Stradley added, He said he was just tired basically of running and it was affecting his health.”

The inmate’s surrender started at a rest stop along Interstate 44, when Kemp knocked on the window of a sleeping truck driver. Stradley explained that Kemp told the driver, “I need you to call Comanche County Sheriff’s department to come up here. I need to talk to them.”

The driver did as asked and a deputy arrived soon after. He told Kemp he looked familiar. When the escaped inmate gave his name, he was arrested. Kemp has been charged in the deaths of Christina Cremer and her boyfriend, Robert Miller. Their bodies were found riddled with bullets in August 1998. Kemp was apprehended by police in California several days later.

He and eight other inmates overpowered a guard in March 1999 using a large grill fork. They escaped, but most of them were recaptured the same day — except for Kemp. Since then, the inmate has been missing. He was featured on America’s Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries TV shows.

During the time he was missing, the inmate was reportedly spotted in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Louisiana, and Canada. A spokesman for the county, Jacob Russell, said that Kemp was under observation for suicide concerns. Russell added, “He’s completely compliant right now and following all the rules.”

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