U.S. marshals continue search for escaped murder suspects, focus on Arizona

Authorities continue to search for a pair of murder suspects who escaped custody in Arizona almost two weeks ago with a concentration on an area in Arizona where the couple was last spotted, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Blane Barksdale, 56, and his wife, Susan, 59, were being transported from New York state to Tucson when they overpowered their guards in Utah on Aug. 26 and escaped custody. They are both suspects in the death of a 72-year-old Tucson man who has been missing since April.

The suspects abandoned a transport van near St. Johns, Arizona, which is in Apache County, according to officials. They were last seen driving a red GMC Sierra truck bearing Arizona license plate number 127XTY and which has damage on its front passenger side and rear bumper. 

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The U.S. Marshals Service Chief Deputy Timothy Hughes said Saturday that they still believe the couple is still in Arizona and are focusing search efforts on the area where they were last seen. 

"Our last strong lead comes from that area where they were last seen, and what we do in an investigation is follow that lead until it's completely exhausted," he said.

Hughes added that authorities are not limiting their search to only the area where the Barksdales were last seen in Arizona. 

"We are still working hard and diligently to find out where they are," he said. 

Hughes explained that the U.S. Marshals Service reached out to law enforcement agencies in New Mexico because they are close to where the Barksdales were last seen. 

On Tuesday, David Gonzales, the U.S. marshal for Arizona, told the Associated Press that authorities were looking into several possible persons of interest who may be helping the Barksdales. 

In addition to a reward of up to $10,000 for each suspect, the U.S. Marshals Service said it is offering a new reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the red GMC pickup the Barksdales were last seen driving. 

The couple are believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, officials say. 

Anyone with information related to the Barksdales should call the U.S. Marshals Service at 602-382-8768.

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels. 

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