Escaped Fugitive From 1973 On ‘Most Wanted List’ May Be Hiding In Michigan

The U.S. Marshals service is reporting that an escaped fugitive who has been on the run for over 45 years could be somewhere in Michigan. 75-year-old Lester Eubanks, who was added to the '15 Most Wanted' list of fugitives on December 7th, is believed to be alive. Although his specific whereabouts are still a mystery, investigators using leads have narrowed down his possible location to either Michigan or California.

“Lester Eubanks has had a lot of time on the lam. Fugitives on the run as long as Eubanks tend to use that time to change their appearance, use aliases, and even start new lives. He literally could be hiding in plain sight. This is why we are asking citizens to be vigilant and contact us with any information they believe will help us apprehend him.” - Deputy U.S. Marshal David Siler

Eubanks was arrested and convicted in the November 1965 Ohio murder of 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener. Authorities say he shot and killed the teenage girl during an attempted rape of the victim. In May of 1966, Eubanks was sentenced to death, but in 1972 his sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole.

The fugitive reportedly made his escape during a trip to a shopping center in Columbus on December 7th, 1973. Police had allowed him to do some Christmas shopping without being escorted as an award for good behavior, but he did not return to the location where he was supposed to be picked up. Now, over 45 years later, Eubanks has still eluded capture.

“The U.S. Marshals are not deterred by the passage of time when it comes to cases like this one. We are fueled by one thing, and that is justice for 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener of Mansfield, Ohio, the innocent victim in this case.” - U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio

Anyone with information is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. A reward up to $25,000 is being offered for information directly leading to Eubank’s arrest.