Region Phoenix MetroCentral Phoenix

Actions

Blane and Susan Barksdale update: Search continues for Tucson homicide suspects who escaped custody

Posted at 8:45 PM, Aug 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-01 08:21:19-04

PHOENIX — Authorities say there are no major leads still in the hunt for a fugitive couple accused of murder in Arizona.

The manhunt for 56-year-old Blane Barksdale and 59-year-old Susan Barksdale entered its fifth day Saturday.

The FBI, which is leading the search, and other agencies continue to pore over hundreds of tips.

RELATED: $20,000 reward offered in search for escaped homicide suspects

The U.S. Marshals Service says Susan Barksdale faked a medical emergency while riding in a prison transport van in Utah Monday. The couple overpowered the two guards, tied them up and put them in the back of the van with a third uninvolved prisoner.

Once the group arrived outside of St. Johns, Arizona, the couple switched to a friend's red GMC Sierra pickup.

The Barksdales were being extradited from upstate New York, where they were arrested in May.