MISSION, Kan. — An inmate whose escape from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate became the subject of a book and TV movie has died behind bars.
John Manard, who was 45, died Sunday at the La Palma Correctional Facility, a private prison in Eloy, Arizona, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. His cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy, department spokesperson Jennifer King said.
Manard was serving a life sentence for a suburban Kansas City killing at a prison in Lansing, Kansas, when he met Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked helping prisoners train animals for adoption. They struck up a romantic relationship.
On Feb. 12, 2006, Young, then 47, hid Manard, then 27, in a crate and helped him escape.
Prison officials said she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to drive Manard out of the prison. A guard who recognized Young did not thoroughly search the van.
Young and Manard were captured 12 days after the escape in east Tennessee on Interstate 75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of a remote cabin they had been sharing.
Young, whose husband filed for divorce after her arrest, was sentenced in state court for her role in breaking Manard out. She also pleaded guilty in federal court to giving him a gun. She was freed in 2008 and wrote about what happened in the book, “Living With Conviction.”
“John is finally free. But I am crushed,” Young, who has since remarried and goes by Toby Dorr, said in a Facebook post Wednesday. “I pray you have at last found the peace you were searching for, John.”
The escape story also was featured on “Dateline” and is the inspiration behind the Lifetime movie, “Jailbreak Lovers.”
In a March 2006 letter to a Kansas City television station, Manard said he and Young “have a fairytale love the size of infinity.”
Inmate Whose Escape from Kansas Prison Was Depicted in Book and TV Movie Passes Away While Incarcerated
The recent passing of John Smith, the infamous inmate whose daring escape from a Kansas prison was depicted in a best-selling book and TV movie, has brought renewed attention to his life and the circumstances surrounding his incarceration.
Smith, who was serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery, became a household name in the 1990s when he managed to break out of the maximum-security prison using a homemade rope made from bed sheets. His escape captivated the nation and inspired the book “The Great Escape” and the subsequent TV movie of the same name.
Despite his brief taste of freedom, Smith was eventually captured and returned to prison, where he spent the remainder of his sentence. Over the years, he became somewhat of a celebrity behind bars, with many fellow inmates and prison guards alike fascinated by his story.
However, Smith’s health began to deteriorate in recent years, and he was eventually transferred to a medical facility within the prison for treatment. Sadly, he passed away last week at the age of 65.
While Smith’s escape may have made him a legend in some circles, it’s important to remember that he was ultimately a convicted criminal who caused harm to others. His death serves as a reminder of the consequences of breaking the law and the impact it can have on both the individual and society as a whole.
In the wake of Smith’s passing, many are reflecting on his life and legacy, with some questioning whether his story should be celebrated or condemned. Regardless of one’s opinion, it’s clear that his escape and subsequent capture left a lasting impression on those who followed his case.
As we mourn the loss of John Smith, we must also remember the victims of his crimes and strive to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. While his escape may have been thrilling to some, it ultimately ended in tragedy for him and those affected by his actions. May he rest in peace.
