A murder suspect who was mistakenly released from a California jail last year has been apprehended following an extensive multi-state manhunt, federal authorities confirmed. The search concluded with the suspect’s arrest in St. Louis.
Isaiah Jamon Andrews, 20, was detained at the Martinez Detention Facility in Contra Costa County, awaiting extradition to Washington state for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Seattle.
On October 22, jail officials unintentionally released Andrews. He had been arrested in Antioch, California, and was identified as a suspect in the murder case.
At the time, Andrews also faced local charges and a separate juvenile warrant from Sacramento, according to authorities. The mistake went unnoticed until after Andrews had disappeared. By then, Seattle detectives were on their way to collect him, only to find he had already left.
Following his release, deputies conducted an initial search of the area around the jail but soon realized Andrews was no longer in the vicinity.
The situation prompted an urgent search involving the US Marshals Service and multiple law enforcement agencies.
Andrews was located on Tuesday in St. Louis, Missouri, and was taken back into custody without any issues, according to the US Marshals Service, which collaborated with Seattle police in the search.
He is now anticipated to be returned to Washington’s King County to face a murder investigation. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Andrews’ release.
