Lester Eubanks is wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for escape. ET After convicted murderer Lester Eubanks escaped from prison during the winter of 1973, his case wasn't brought to the public's attention very much again until a 1994 episode of America's Most Wanted . He loved watching and discussing everything sports and politics with his family and friends. At one point, he sat on death row at the Ohio State Penitentiary and remains one of the U.S. Marshals most wanted fugitives to this day. S. While he has been. Marshal David Siler, who began working the case in 2016, that Eubanks had planned his escape from justice all along. Previously a Spanish - then Mexican - territory, the U.S. paid $15 million dollars for the area in 1848. But a busy holiday-season mall provided Eubanks with a perfect escape scenario. Eubanks confessed to the crime the next day. And because he confessed to the murder, more than once, he is also somebody who can be categorized as narcissistic. The site is secure. Dr. Eugene Gangarosa, trailblazing infectious disease expert, dies. "We believe that he may have never left the Greater Los Angeles area," says Deputy U.S. "She was always giggling," recalls Carter. His execution was pushed off on three separate occasions; according to Rolling Stone, once the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972, his sentence was changed to life in prison without parole. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - One of the most wanted fugitives in the United States is being sought in the Los Angeles area after escaping from an Ohio prison in 1973, authorities confirmed Saturday.. According to The Cinemaholic, Deener was walking 5 minutes from one . Official prison records show that Lesters visitation skyrocketed in the weeks prior to his escape from once a month, it went on to be once a week. Eubanks is a convicted murderer, who confessed to and was found guilty of the November 1965 murder and attempted rape of a 14-year-old girl named Mary Ellen Deener. Lester grew up with ElizabethDudley fell in love and eventually married her. He was asked to meet back at a specific time and place near the mall when he was finished. May God Bless and Keep You! In December 1973, Eubanks walked away from the custody of the Ohio Department of Corrections while on a temporary honor furlough to go Christmas shopping. Anyone who has information on Eubanks is asked to call the U.S. She said that he assumed the name of Victor Young and got a hunting license, which didnt require fingerprints, as his ID proof. Lester leaves to mourn and carry on his legacy of support and love of family onto his sons Michael, James & Vincent Eubanks; daughters Sheila Pugh and Catherine Eubanks; his daughter in law Norma JeanBrown of Toms River; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sisters Leora & Helen Eubanks, Madelyn Hicks and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins andfriends. "We went so long with no one caring," says Carter. Jerry Devinney officiating. Inside The Disturbing Legend Of The 'Tsunami Spirits' That Have Haunted Japan Ever Since Its 2011 Disaster, 12-Year-Old Canadian Boy Finds 69-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil While Hiking, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. By peeling out the parts of the biological sons genetics that trace to his father, his DNA could become a substitute for his fathers and using that profile to try and match Eubanks to unsolved crimes would be groundbreaking, Murphy said. In the late 80s or early 90s, it's believed that Eubanks worked as a janitor at St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood. Kay, the widow of Lesters cousin and his previous pen-pal, turned out to be crucial in the investigations that followed. The Marshals have been trying to gain approvals to compare his biological sons DNA against samples of DNA collected from unsolved crime scene evidence around the country in hopes that it will yield a match and offer hints to Eubanks new identity or recent location. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Mary Ellen Deener is seen here in this undated photo. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. This case is very unusual, said David Kaye, a Penn State Law professor who studies the use forensic science and genetics in criminal cases. Though the media stunt helped raise awareness, and U.S. Marshals officially listed Eubanks on their 15 Most Wanted List, it was obvious that Lester Eubanks had heard of these developments, too. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. Its so appalling that someone has to headhunt to catch this monster., In 2017, Deputy U.S. Eubanks was so well-mannered and docile that he became an Honor Inmate at the facility, which earned him certain privileges. Per the report, authorities say Eubanks worked and lived in Los Angeles . Marshals Service hopes that newly unearthed photos of people who worked and socialized with Lester Eubanks in the mid-1970s will lead to a clue that cracks the case. A captain searched the national database to check if Lester had committed an offense somewhere else, and the information had somehow not been forwarded, but what he found was even more shocking. MANSFIELD - U.S. marshals have increased the reward from $25,000 to $50,000 in the case of convicted . "We continue to fight for her so that someday she will get justice when we're able to put Lester Eubanks in custody.". 'Unsolved Mysteries' covers the case. The .gov means its official. From their union of 43 years five children were born: Michael, Sheila, James, Vincent and Catherine. "We're just hoping for that one, one piece of the puzzle that's going to get us to his front door," Siler tells Eyewitness News. On that day, Mary Ellen Deener and her younger sister, 12-year-old Brenda Sue, were doing laundry. The ongoing manhunt for Eubanks is the focus of the ABC News podcast, Have You Seen This Man?. He shot her twice then beat her with a brick. David Messmore said he was contacted by "America's Most Wanted" TV producers recently since he worked on the cold case at the police department. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 27. The U.S. They want the child killer captured, and they wont stop until they succeed. And thats how he escaped. We are still focused on the L.A. area. Eubanks had previously been sentenced with the death penalty, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole in 1972. For Deeners family, that day in December nearly paralleled the night of 1965. I think the first problem is how to get it into the database to begin with, Greely said. ", "It was just unreal," says Carter. The U.S. At the time of his disappearance, he weighed approximately 175 pounds. The sad thing is, those who he has won over are victims, too, said Siler. Unsolved Mysteries Host Robert Stacks Cause of Death: How Did He Die. He said protections could be imposed so the biological sons sample could only be used for the purpose of searching for Eubanks and nothing else. The FBI would not make available the person in charge of the nations criminal DNA database, Thomas F. Callaghan, for an interview. More: U.S. Marshal Service is not giving up. Marshals' ongoing mission to find Lester Eubanks, a dangerous convict who escaped from police custody in 1973 and has never been found. Sommers, Carol Louise Orr 2 entries. "We believe that he may have never left the Greater Los Angeles area," Deputy U.S. (U.S. Who Where Receive obituaries Elisabeth D Christal February 22, 2023 (87 years old) View obituary Johnny West February 21, 2023 (88 years old) "Unsolved Mysteries" season 2 releases on October 19; one of the episodes features the murder of Mary Ellen Deener. Not wanting to let it pass by, though, the captain managed to get Lesters face on Americas Most Wanted, which resulted in a tip coming in from a Los Angeles woman. Messmore said he was responsible for getting the warrant for Eubank's arrest reinstalled. It is scientifically plausible that a comparison of a biological sons DNA (if he is a genetic son) to unsolved profiles would turn up hits if the father had been the source of a crime scene DNA sample, Greely said. The last she knew, she admitted, Lester was in Gardena, working in a mattress manufacturing factory as Victor. She was found with a handful of nickels and dimes next to her. Marshals believe DNA collected from escaped child killer Lester Eubanks' biological son could be the key to unearthing new clues to the fugitive's identity or location.. Eubanks, who . One of the U.S. Marshals 15 most-wanted fugitives, authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for his capture, the agencys highest ever. Mary Ellen Deener went searching for change for the laundromat on Nov. 14, 1965. Lester Eubanks hasnt seen its grounds in nearly 50 years. Someone whos like, I know that guy.'. Netflix via Youtube Home Obituaries Lester Wade Eubanks . "We're looking for any information to his life on the run or the history of his life on the run," he added. Marshal for Northern Ohio. She was 14. He said he pulled her behind a house and forced down her underwear, and shot her twice in the stomach after she tried to fight him off. Marshals are soliciting the aid of the public to identify people pictured in newly uncovered. "One person that we have a name as a possible girlfriend, her name is Renee and she went by 'Sherm,'" says Siler. Eubanks and three other inmates were allowed to leave the prison to go Christmas shopping at a local mall - unsupervised. Marshals wanted poster. 45 years after his escape, he was added to the United States Mashals Most Wanted List. Marshals to place Lester Eubanks on their 15 Most Wanted list. Mary Ellen encountered Eubanks in 1965 when she ran out of change while doing laundry for the family at a local laundromat in Mansfield, Ohio. Lester Eubanks, who has been on the run for 47 years, was convicted of killing 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener in 1966. On November 30, 2017, Lester A. Eubanks entered into his ultimate resting place at the age 97. Ohio State Penitentiary around 1897. The extensive manhunt that ensued for the criminal who was allowed to go out in public in civilian clothes, regrettably, led to no leads about his whereabouts. Whether the DNA sample would produce solid new leads is impossible to predict. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. "And he was not in any of them, not one.". Marshals offer record reward for fugitive Lester Eubanks, U.S. Mary Ellen Deener was shot and bludgeoned to death when she was 14 by Lester Eubanks. Eubanks was convicted of murdering Mary Ellen Deener, 14, in 1966. Chloe Atkins reports for the NBC News Investigative Unit, based in New York. He was driven to a city just outside Detroit and has been on the run now for 46 years. A spokesman instead provided a copy of the current FBI policy, which states: Familial searching is not currently conducted at the national level or performed by the National DNA Index System., Natalie Ram, a University of Maryland law professor who is a leading expert on the laws surrounding DNA data and privacy, said Familial searches are a touchy subject.. In today's era, it would just never happen." Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. "I remember the mother was real nice. After nearly 50 years on the lam, authorities believe they are closing in on convicted murderer and prison escapee Lester Eubanks, who was recently featured . Currently, they have Lester Eubanks on their 15 Most Wanted list and are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information about his whereabouts. It just got him outside the gates, and thats all he was working toward.. She was 78 years old. Hundreds of new clues poured in after the ABC News Investigative Unit went inside the manhunt with the U.S. He thoroughly enjoyed bowling and spent many years on a bowling league. Lester Eubanks, then 22 years old, was convicted of the murder of Mary Ellen Deener in 1966. She told the detectives that Lester did live with her up until a few years ago, but because he was a bully, she scared him off by implying that people were looking for him in the city. ", "Any information that can get us to that front door, get him in custody," says Siler. Marshals seeking info on convicted child killer Lester Eubanks, More: Lester Eubanks case to be featured on Investigation Discovery. "He literally could be hiding in plain sight. "We're hoping that the viewers in Los Angeles are able to identify some of these people," says Siler. Eubanks might have lived in Gardena, South Los Angeles, Long Beach, and North Hollywood at various times, Murphy said. Eubanks bounced around, living at times in Gardena, South Central, Long Beach and North Hollywood. Reports suggest Eubanks fled to Michigan, and also spent time in Los Angeles. "One of my business partners, she took pictures of everybody, everything," Springer says. But even though he kept to himself, the inmates knew of his opinionated and cocky nature, so they stayed away. Murphy said the point of releasing the photographs is the marshals don't know who the people in photographs are, but would love to talk to them in hopes they may have more information on Eubanks. "He realized she was still breathing, still alive," says Siler. He never showed up to the designated pickup spot and remains elusive to this day. Audrey C. Eubanks Obituary We are sad to announce that on February 27, 2023, at the age of 76, Audrey C. Eubanks of Lucedale, Mississippi passed away. Richland County Sheriffs DepartmentLester Eubanks had a criminal history of sexual offenses prior to Mary Deeners murder. With no help on the cold case from fellow authorities, Arcudi contacted Americas Most Wanted. Thats what were looking for. Marshal and spokeswoman Anne Murphy of Cleveland confirmedMonday. "They hadn't even putout a locator or warrant for him and I got that reinstalled in the computer system for all of the United States," he said. Because each states rules are different, the FBI prohibition is intended to take the approach least likely to run afoul of state laws. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A private service for family will be held Tuesday. All rights reserved. Hes very cunning; hes not a dumb guy. [4], As of 2022, Eubanks was still listed on the United States Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list. Marshals Service for the podcast, "Have You Seen This Man.". The podcast follows the U.S. For Siler, tragedy and pain mark the Lester Eubanks case from all angles. Marshal David Siler told the News Journal in 2017. Get Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/curiosity - Enter promo code curiosity for 83% off and 3 extra months free! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Authorities believe they know that highly sought-after fugitive Lester Eubanks is somewhere in or around Los Angeles. Fugitive Lester Eubanks is seen here . Volume 2 of Unsolved Mysteries brings us six baffling cases that have shaken the world to its core. We know that he has a footprint there, we know that he has associates throughout the area, we just need to talk to those people.. Plant a tree in memory of Lester An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree In December 1973, prison officials took the convicted murderer to . Marshals Service) Eubanks was convicted of murdering Mary Ellen Deener, 14, in 1966. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. He attended his school years in the Newark School system where he eventually graduated from West Side High School. "Anytime you talk about this case, it is appalling . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. For the seven years Lester Eubanks was in jail, reports said he acted like a model prisoner. READ NEXT: Unsolved Mysteries Host Robert Stacks Cause of Death: How Did He Die? We thought it was over. Manfield News Journal