Netflix’s latest documentary, Jailbreak: Love on the Run, released on September 25, is based on a true story. It tells the story of how a prison officer, Vicky White, helped inmate Casey White escape. What began as a seemingly ordinary day on April 29, 2022, ended with a large-scale manhunt and a tragic death.
This shocking tale gripped the public’s imagination and confused the media. But what's more astonishing is how it happened. Keep reading this article as we dive deep into the story.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Jailbreak: Love on the Run. Reader discretion is advised.
Is Jailbreak: Love on the Run based on a true story?
Aaron Ginsburg, William Green, and Alec MacRae produced the documentary. It includes in-depth interviews with Vicky’s co-workers, Casey’s fellow inmates, and the law enforcement officers involved in the case. The documentary offers a detailed look at how the escape happened.
Casey White, who is now 41, was a convicted felon serving a 75-year sentence. He was no stranger to violence, having committed a 2015 home invasion, carjackings, and multiple shootings. His long criminal history made him dangerous. Behind bars, he even confessed to another crime, which took place in the 2015 murder of Connie Ridgeway, though he later claimed insanity.
Vicky White was a 56-year-old assistant director of corrections at the Lauderdale County Jail, where Casey was being held. For 17 years, Vicky had a stellar reputation and was well-liked by her co-workers. She had been named Employee of the Year four times.
However, despite her successful career, Vicky led a lonely personal life. After her marriage to Tommy White ended due to his drug addiction, she struggled with personal losses, including the deaths of her ex-husband and fiance.
Vicky told her close ones that she was lonely, and she started an unlikely romantic relationship with Casey White. In 2021, she mentioned to her co-workers that she was dating a younger man but didn’t provide further details. Rumors of their relationship swirled inside the jail, especially when inmates noticed Casey handing Vicky letters without addresses.
On April 29, 2022, Vicky executed the escape. She told her supervisors that she was taking Casey for a mental health evaluation, but that was a lie. There was no such appointment. Instead, Vicky had prepared for this day by selling her house and purchasing an orange getaway car. The two walked out of jail together, and by the time the authorities realized something was wrong, they were already on the run.
How did Casey and Vicky get caught?
Initially, it was hard for investigators to believe that Vicky had willingly helped Casey escape. After all, she had a spotless record. Some thought Casey must have taken her hostage. But soon, evidence showed otherwise. Security footage revealed that Vicky had been complicit, and phone calls between her and Casey confirmed their secret relationship.
For 11 days, the couple evaded capture. They left a trail of clues, starting with discovering the orange Ford in a tow yard seven days after their escape. Investigators soon learned that Vicky and Casey had bought a truck, which they tracked to Evansville, Indiana, over 175 miles from the jail.
The moment the news broke, the story spread like wildfire. The media couldn't get enough of this strange love story between an officer and a dangerous criminal. As the manhunt intensified, so did the media coverage, with reporters speculating on the couple's next move.
What happened after they were caught?
Surveillance footage showing Casey getting into a Cadillac in Evansville helped the law catch up with them. Authorities tracked the couple to a nearby motel. Law enforcement prepared for the capture, but the couple tried to flee again. After a car chase, their Cadillac crashed into a ditch, ending the pursuit.
The airbags deployed, but what happened next shocked everyone. Vicky shot herself as law enforcement closed in, dying from the self-inflicted wound. Casey, who surrendered, pleaded with officers to "check on my wife," though the two were not legally married.
Many believe that Casey manipulated Vicky, using her loneliness and vulnerability to his advantage. Others think Vicky saw Casey as her last chance for excitement and love. Either way, her actions shocked everyone who knew her.
Following his capture, Casey was returned to prison. The public wondered how such a respected officer could fall deeply in love with a dangerous criminal. The tragic end to their story left many questions unanswered, but Jailbreak: Love on the Run offers a closer look at what happened.
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