BLANDING, Utah, Aug. 28, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the location and apprehension of a pair of homicide suspects.
The two, who escaped custody in Blanding while being extradited from one state to another, are considered armed and dangerous. The Marshals Service said in a news release Wednesday afternoon that the reward is up to $10,000 per fugitive.
The Tucson Police Department said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that homicide suspects Blane Barksdale, 56, and Susan Barksdale, 59, escaped custody while being extradited from Henrietta, New York, to Pima County, Arizona.
“During transport Monday evening, Blane and Susan Barksdale overpowered two security officers in Blanding, Utah,” the news release said. “Blane and Susan Barksdale are wanted in connection with the murder of 72-year-old Frank Bligh on April 16, in Tucson, Arizona.”
Blane and Susan Barksdale are believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, officials said.
The Barksdales’ direction of travel is currently unknown. Investigators have information that they are possibly traveling through Arizona. They were last seen driving a red GMC Sierra pickup truck, with the Arizona license plate 127XTY, with damage to the front passenger side and rear bumper
Blane Barksdale is described as Caucasian, 6 feet 5 inches tall and 265 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. He has numerous tattoos on his arms and hands, the news release said. He uses the aliases Jeffery Robert Fehrehbach and Jeffrey Fehrehbach.
Susan Barksdale is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 110 pounds. She is not known to use aliases, officials said.
Bligh, whose body has not been found, was reported missing; then on April 16, his home in Tucson caught fire and exploded, according to local news outlets. The next day, his car was found abandoned in Tucson.
The Barksdales were arrested near Rochester, New York, in May on charges of first-degree murder.
The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Tucson Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies are assisting in this investigation.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the Barksdales can call the FBI Tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or call 911 immediately.
