A search is underway in Alabama for a missing prison inmate and guard.

Police in the United States are looking for an escaped inmate who is wanted for murder, as well as a guard who went missing with him.

Casey White, an inmate, and Vicki White, a prison officer, were last seen at the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office in Alabama on Friday morning.

Ms. White stated that she was taking him to a mental examination, but officials later discovered that no such appointment had been made.

Authorities are looking into whether Ms... White assisted the offender in escaping or was kidnapped by him.

Despite having the same surname, the two are not related. Casey White should be considered "armed and extremely dangerous," according to authorities, in part because he may now have access to the officer's weapon.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Ms. White left the detention center with the prisoner around 09:30 CDT (15:30 BST) on Friday after telling colleagues she was dropping him off at the courthouse for a mental health evaluation.

Sheriff Singleton said that she stated that she would seek medical assistance since she was not feeling well.

Someone discovered her automobile in a shopping center parking lot shortly after 11:00 a.m.

Officials discovered the prisoner had not been returned to custody at 15:30, and no one could reach the officer.

The US Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 (£7,950) for information leading to Casey White's recapture and the location of Vicki White.

"Casey White is believed to be a serious threat to the corrections officer and the public," US Marshal Marty Keely said in a statement.

'Exemplary employee'

Ms. White has been with the department for roughly 25 years, according to Sheriff Singleton. She works as an assistant director of corrections, and part of her responsibilities include coordinating courthouse transportation.

He explained that her decision to drive the prisoner to the courthouse alone was against policy, as someone charged with such a serious offense would generally be accompanied by two deputies.

"Every person at this workplace is astonished that she is missing and that this has happened," she says.

Ms. White had been named employee of the year multiple times, according to Sheriff Singleton, and was an "exemplary employee."

Before charging Ms. White with any wrongdoing, he stated that he needed substantial proof.

"Was she a part of his escape? This is a possibility. As a result, we're looking into it as one of the investigation's angles. Was she abducted on the way to the courthouse? Taken against her will, you know? That is, without a doubt, another perspective we are considering."

"Knowing the inmate, I believe she is in danger no matter what," the sheriff stated.

Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office released this image of Casey White, saying it is the most recent photo of him

Murder charge

According to the US Marshals Service, White, 38, was charged with two charges of capital murder in September 2020 for stabbing 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway.

He was already serving time for a series of offenses in 2015, including burglary, vehicle theft, and a police chase, according to the US federal law enforcement agency.

He confessed to the murder and was being held at the Lauderdale County Jail awaiting trial when he vanished, according to investigators.

Sheriff Singleton told ABC News that White had previously planned an escape from prison. Officials learned about the scheme, which included kidnapping a prisoner before he could carry it out in 2020.