Friday, September 27, 2024, 5:34 pm News Flash Archive

The 39-year-old inmate Ryan Burks, who briefly escaped September 11 from the Carroll County Regional Correctional Facility, has now died while being held in custody by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

MDOC inmate photograph of Ryan Burks, now deceased

MDOC Government Affairs Coordinator Kate Head confirmed to The Taxpayers Channel late this afternoon that Burks is deceased. She did not specify where Burks passed away, nor any details about how he died. She further told us:

Procedurally, when an inmate dies in the custody of MDOC an investigation is conducted and an autopsy is performed by the state medical examiner.

You can contact the medical examiner for more information regarding manner and cause of death.

When Burks was first recaptured on September 11, MDOC's Inmate Locator showed Burks being held at CMCF, Central MS Correctional Facility in Pearl.

But yesterday, MDOC showed him housed at Walnut Grove Correctional Facility.

Both of those facilities are operated directly by MDOC.

This morning, Burks' MDOC Inmate Profile indicated that Burks' record has been "closed." The "Location Change Date" provided is September 25, 2024, which may indicate the date of his death.

Authorities had quickly recaptured Burks in Oxford in the company of his alleged accomplice, 44-year-old Leslie Nichole McNeal of Grenada. Ms. McNeal was the kitchen manager at CCRCF, and both persons were apprehended in her wrecked vehicle.

Burks had been charged with Felony Fleeing and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, with more charges expected. McNeal has been charged with Felony Aiding and Abetting.

At the time of his escape, Burks was 18 years into serving his 30-year prison sentence for sexual battery and burglary.

See our previous reporting here:

Carroll County jail escapee captured

Alleged female accomplice in Carroll County jail break identified

The most recent inmate profile from MDOC for Burks, which indicates a "Closed Record," may be seen here: Ryan Burks final MDOC inmate profile

John Pittman Hey
The Taxpayers Channel

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