In a sobering conclusion to a harrowing week, Lydia Nelson (Prince), the Westmoreland County woman reported missing amidst allegations of kidnapping by her husband, Shawn Prince, was found safe in Kentucky. The search ended when their automobile was detected by a roadside camera in Morehead, Kentucky, with Shawn being arrested by police at a hotel parking lot in Maysville, leading to a sigh of relief for concerned family members, as reported by WPXI.
Details regarding the incident paint a grim picture, with Nelson reporting her husband had kidnapped her at gunpoint, threatening terrible violence against her friend's child if she refused to comply, according to a statement obtained by WTAE. The ordeal included a night spent in the woods, under the watch of an armed Shawn Prince. Nelson’s escape was a calculated risk; she drove to safety as her husband dozed off, and managed to reach the Scottdale police station before her abductor vanished.
However, after reporting this initial incident, contact with Nelson ceased again on Thursday afternoon, triggering further concern and an expanded search. Describing the emotional turmoil faced by the family, Lydia's daughter Destiny Nelson told WTAE, "Torturous' is the best way to describe it." Efforts to find her were ramped up with family and local authorities, including Scottdale and Connellsville police, state troopers, and Ohio Pyle Park Rangers on alert.
Shawn Prince’s apprehension and Lydia’s recovery came as the result of collaborative investigative work spanning multiple states and agencies, a joint effort relayed by the Scottdale Police Department. The manhunt culminated when investigators narrowed down his location, ultimately pinpointing the couple's vehicle in Kentucky. Prince faces charges including kidnapping, simple assault, terroristic threats, and harassment, as he awaits extradition back to Pennsylvania.
