DURHAM, NC – Authorities are intensifying their search for a convicted murderer who escaped from custody in a hospital parking lot near Durham, North Carolina. The fugitive, Ramon Austin, managed to break free while being escorted to a medical appointment, prompting a widespread manhunt.
Officials believe Austin has left the Hillsboro area. “We feel pretty confident from a search standpoint that Austin is no longer in the immediate vicinity,” said a local law enforcement officer. Ground search efforts have been suspended, and authorities are now seeking the public’s assistance, offering a $35,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Austin’s escape occurred yesterday morning when he was being transported by armed guards. Although his handcuffs and waist chain remained on, his leg restraints had been removed, facilitating his getaway. The Orange County Sheriff, who has known Austin since birth, described him as “extremely cunning and dangerous,” emphasizing that he has “nothing to lose.”
Austin is serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of one-year-old Malia Williams, a crime that shocked the community. The victim’s family has expressed frustration with the Department of Public Safety, criticizing their handling of Austin’s custody.
A hospital surveillance camera captured part of the escape, but the footage was insufficient to provide a clear understanding of the events, as Austin was reportedly “moving too quickly” for the camera to capture detailed movements.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, stressing the importance of public vigilance in apprehending this dangerous individual.