Salvador Saucedo, who had been on the run for nearly a month after escaping custody, was pronounced dead after authorities discovered him with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As reported by KHOU 11, Saucedo was found in a burning house that belonged to his girlfriend in Richards, Texas, and was captured on Tuesday and succumbed to his injuries the following day, confirmed by the Waller County Sheriff's Office.
Previously, Saucedo was detained on drug charges during a traffic stop and provided a false identity. He later claimed to have swallowed the drugs, leading to his transportation to Bellville Hospital for an elevated heart rate. Saucedo used a piece of wire from a TV remote to pick the locks on his handcuffs and leg irons and escaped from the hospital while the deputy was momentarily indisposed. Saucedo fled on foot while the deputy was away from the scene, according to information from abc13.
The Waller County Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, commenced a widespread manhunt, employing K-9s, drones, and air support. However, authorities were initially unaware that Saucedo had stolen a truck from a construction zone to flee the area. Waller County Sheriff Troy Guidry stated, "Once we found out he stole a truck and ended up in Richards, we basically turned it over to the U.S. Marshals and let them start searching," as obtained by KHOU 11.
Guidry explained that it was a school resource officer who discovered the fire at the girlfriend's home. Upon approaching the scene, the officer identified a man inside the house, revealed to be Saucedo, who then shot himself in the head as law enforcement got closer. Saucedo's girlfriend, Lauri Ann Williams, has since been taken into custody on allegations that she was harboring a fugitive.
The Waller County Sheriff's Office confirmed that last rites were administered, and Saucedo's body was released to his family for organ donation, as he was an organ donor. The 37-year-old faced multiple charges, including previous indictments for indecency with a child and stalking, marking a tragic end to his escape.
