May 2, 2024

Manhunt launched after murder suspect who wrote he’s ‘not sorry’ escapes Pennsylvania jail

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A New York murder suspect, who allegedly wrote in a note to his father that he was “not sorry,” has escaped a Pennsylvania jail where he was being held pending extradition after a days-long manhunt that stretched from western New York to South Carolina.

Michael Burham, 34, is accused of gunning down Jamestown, New York, resident Kala Hodgkin before embarking on an interstate crime spree that included allegations of arson and kidnapping a couple at gunpoint from their home.

The escapee has tattoos on his left forearm and right bicep and was last seen wearing a denim jacket around 11:20 p.m. on Thursday in Warren County, Pennsylvania, according to authorities.

Area residents were urged to lock their car doors and be on the lookout.

FUGITIVE WANTED FOR SEX ASSAULT, KIDNAPPING IN ALLEGED MULTISTATE CRIME SPREE NABBED AFTER ‘DAYS-LONG MANHUNT’

Michael Burham in a mugshot, victim Kala Hodgkin in an undated family photo

Michael Burham, left, is accused of shooting Kala Hodgkin to death in New York before lighting another woman’s car on fire and then kidnapping a Pennsylvania couple, according to police. He escaped custody Thursday night, prompting a new manhunt. (Cattaraugus County Sheriffs Office, Kala Hodgkin/Facebook)

Burham was arrested on May 22 after police tracked him to South Carolina, where they found a note to his father in a stolen car.

“I’m not sorry for what I did, however I do feel terrible about the children,” the note reads, according to court filings.

Michael Burham allegedly left this note to his father

An image taken from court filings shows the note murder suspect Michael Burham allegedly left for his father during an interstate manhunt. (US District Court, Western District of New York)

He wrote that he had “quit drinking” on May 10 and apologized “for all the problems” he caused his family.

Jamestown police found Hodgkin dead in her home early on May 11, according to federal court filings.

At the time of her shooting death, Burham was already wanted on charges that he raped her.

FBI WARNS OF ‘IMMINENT DANGER’ AS SUSPECTED SEX TRAFFICKER ADDED TO MOST WANTED LIST

Michael Burham wearing a hat and backpack in the woods

Michael Burham is accused of a sexual assault in Jamestown, New York, and the kidnapping of an elderly couple in Pennsylvania, whom he allegedly drove to South Carolina before releasing them, unharmed, the FBI said. (FBI)

That same day, Burham was allegedly recorded on his ex-girlfriend’s Ring doorbell camera trying to break into her house and lighting her car on fire.

She was identified only as “N.O.” in the federal criminal complaint.

Burham allegedly eluded capture and crossed state lines into Pennsylvania, where a couple was reported missing along with their car on May 20.

Michael Burham mugshot

Escaped murder suspect Michael Burham seen in a recent booking photo. (Jamestown Police Department)

Pennsylvania police sent out a missing persons alert, and South Carolina Highway Patrol found the victims alive the following day in North Charleston.

They told police they had been taken at gunpoint from their home and identified Burham as their alleged kidnapper, according to authorities.

Michael Burham tattoos

Escaped murder suspect Michael Burham’s tattoos on his left forearm, left, and right bicep. (Jamestown Police Department)

On May 22, the FBI announced his arrest, after a resident reported a suspicious man outside.

He was awaiting extradition to New York to face the murder charge when he escaped.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office at 716-938-2217 or 911.

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.

Michael Ruiz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.ruiz@fox.com and on Twitter: @mikerreports

This post originally appeared on and written by:
Thomas Schewe
Fox News 2023-07-07 16:32:00

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