17 days and more than 2,000 leads after David Sweat and Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY, sources like The Press Republican are reporting that DNA evidence has been found linking the escapees to a hunting camp near Owls Head in Northern New York.
Photo Provided By The New York State Police
Although State Police Troop B Commander Major Charles Guess confirmed that “investigators believe the escapees ‘may have spent time in a cabin in this area,'” he would not confirm any DNA matches and wouldn’t discuss any specific evidence, The New York Times reports.
The cabin in question is located approximately 15-20 miles west of Clinton Correctional Facility, and the findings have redirected police attention to that region. The cabin’s owner found “boots, bloody socks, and toiletries, along with a water jug and jar of peanut butter” and saw a man run out the back of the structure when the owner went to check on his property.
While the heavily wooded environment and uncooperative weather have complicated police searches, they have also undoubtedly made things more difficult for the escapees. The New York Times quoted retired mason and certified Adirondack guide Jim Hall of Mountain View as saying, “The terrain is very rugged – some of the toughest in New York State. There’s an awful lot of creatures out there – black bears, bugs galore. If you’re not a woodsman you could die out there real easy.”
Although the evidence has yet to be confirmed by the police, The Press Republican identified an unnamed official who stated, “within the next 24 to 48 hours, we’re confident they will be caught.” If you have any information that could contribute to the search for Sweat and Matt, contact 911, your local law enforcement agency, or the New York State Police at 518-563-3761, 1-800-GIVETIP, or
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Sources:
- New York State Police: UPDATE The search for escaped prison inmates continues
- Press Republican: DNA of killers confirmed; net tightening
- The New York Times: DNA of Escaped Convicts Found in Cabin, Official Says
