ABC 20/20 “Catch Us If You Can” October 6 2023 Recap & Preview

In a dramatic case explored by “20/20,” the disappearance of Vicky White, a corrections officer, with maximum-security inmate Casey White raised questions about whether it was a case of love or coercion. Initially, authorities feared that Casey had taken Vicky hostage when they went missing on her last morning as a corrections officer, leading to an 11-day, multistate search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

As the investigation deepened, suspicions arose about Vicky’s role in Casey’s escape. The two-hour program features exclusive interviews shedding light on their relationship, including insights from Casey’s former cellmate, Georgineo Lopez, who provides a firsthand account of their connection. Vicky’s friends and co-workers, including Tonya Lester, Candy Allen, and Judge Carole Medley, discuss Vicky’s character and dedication to her job.

Retired U.S. Marshal Bryan Bishop and former Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding, members of the team that captured Casey and returned him to prison, share their perspectives. Matt Burbank, an investigator with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and a friend of Vicky’s, is interviewed, along with Marshal Martin Keely, Commander Chad Hunt, and Deputy Commander Ross Manley, who led the search for Casey and Vicky.

The episode features exclusive police body camera and dashcam videos of the search’s climax and previously undisclosed letters Casey wrote just before his capture, shedding light on the nature of his relationship with Vicky. “20/20” airs on Friday, Oct. 6 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.

What Happened to Vicky White & Casey White?

Casey White, a U.S. prisoner serving a 75-year sentence for attempted murder and other crimes, escaped from jail with the assistance of corrections officer Vicky White, who was the assistant director of corrections. This escape triggered a nationwide manhunt. However, the case took a tragic turn when Vicky White died during their escape, leading to Casey White being charged with her murder.

The indictment alleged that during their escape, Casey White caused Vicky White’s death from a gunshot wound. The indictment did not specify who pulled the trigger. Initially, it was reported that Vicky White’s death was a result of suicide, but the circumstances raised suspicions.

Casey White had a lengthy criminal history and was serving time for multiple serious offenses. On the morning of their escape, Vicky White, in her role as a corrections officer, escorted Casey White out of the jail, ostensibly for a mental health evaluation, which later turned out to be false. This event raised questions about her involvement in the escape.

Authorities discovered that Vicky White had been providing Casey White with special treatment, including extra privileges. Their relationship was described as potentially romantic and may have started in 2020. Casey White recanted his initial confession to a murder case while in custody, pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.

The manhunt for the pair was extensive, with sightings and incidents in various locations, including a chase that ultimately led to their capture in Indiana. During the apprehension, Vicky White suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and Casey White was taken into custody. Vicky White was pronounced dead, and her death was ruled a suicide.

Casey White later pleaded guilty to first-degree prison escape and reached a plea deal in which he would not be tried for felony murder in Vicky White’s death. The case garnered significant media attention due to its unusual and tragic circumstances, including the unexpected involvement of a corrections officer in an inmate’s escape.