TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho State Police are currently investigating a series of homicides related to an incident involving the capture of an escaped inmate and his accomplice. The two suspects, Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, managed to flee from a Boise hospital after assaulting officers, setting off a chain of events that led to tragedy across multiple locations in Idaho.
After their escape, authorities believe that Meade and Umphenour encountered 83-year-old James L. Mauney from Juliaetta, Idaho, who was reported missing after failing to return home from walking his dogs. The suspects reportedly abducted Mauney and his dogs, driving them to a remote area near Leland where Mauney’s body was eventually discovered alongside an abandoned vehicle.
As the investigation unfolded, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office responded to a separate homicide at the home of 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson in Orofino. Evidence found at the scene, including Mauney’s dogs and discarded handcuffs believed to belong to Meade, pointed to potential links between the different incidents.
Law enforcement received tips that led them to locate the stolen vehicle associated with the suspects at a residence in Filer. It was determined that Meade and Umphenour had traveled through Missoula, Montana, before reaching this location. Upon surrounding the house where the suspects were believed to be, Meade and Umphenour attempted to flee in separate vehicles, leading to their subsequent arrests.
Fortunately, the apprehensions of both suspects were carried out without any exchange of gunfire. Additionally, an individual connected to Meade’s escape attempt was also taken into custody. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mauney and Henderson remain under investigation, with authorities working diligently to uncover the full details of these tragic events.
This series of events has gripped the community of Twin Falls, Idaho, sparking concerns about safety and emphasizing the ongoing importance of law enforcement efforts to swiftly address and resolve acts of violence and criminal behavior. Through collaboration and vigilance, authorities have been able to successfully apprehend the suspects and provide some closure to the families affected by these senseless acts of violence.