Fugitive Gives Up; 2nd Found Dead

One of two escaped murderers who held an elderly couple hostage in their home was found dead inside the house late Saturday, officials said.

Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said William B. Davis may have killed himself. The other prison escapee, Douglas E. Gray, surrendered, Whetsel said.

Hostage Gilbert Tuepker, 73, walked out of his home and was reunited with his wife, Mildred, 72, who had been released earlier in the evening, police said.

Whetsel said the men apparently made a pact to kill themselves if they were cornered, but Gray changed his mind.

Police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said that the fugitives, who were serving life sentences, were involved in other hostage episodes during their escape but that none of the victims was harmed.

Earlier Saturday, a lawman spotted the fugitives driving a truck, officials said. The men ditched it in a field and ran into the home.

The two men escaped from a medium-security prison in southeastern Oklahoma on March 16 by hiding in a mail cart and overpowering the driver, a Department of Corrections spokesman said.