Aggravated Murder Suspect Taken Back into Custody after Unusual Rescue in Oregon
An aggravated murder suspect who escaped from a psychiatric hospital in Oregon while shackled at the arms, legs, and stomach has been taken back into custody after an unusual rescue, authorities announced on Friday.
Christopher Lee Pray, 39, was captured on Friday, according to Oregon State Police. He had been in custody and a patient at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem before his escape on Wednesday.
The escapee was found in a precarious situation when emergency crews responded to a call about a possible dead body in a pond. Instead, they discovered Pray stuck in mud up to his armpits, approximately 75 feet from sturdy ground. Portland Fire & Rescue launched a rope and ladder operation and managed to free Pray after about an hour. He was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
“The patient provided a fake name, however, an observant hospital employee noticed he resembled Christopher Pray,” said a release from the police. “Hospital staff notified the Portland Police Bureau, who responded and confirmed his identity.”
Interestingly, the hospital in Portland is nearly an hour away from the facility Pray escaped from. The National Weather Service reported that temperatures in the area dipped to 60 degrees Thursday evening into Friday while Pray was stuck in muddy water.
Pray’s escape is currently under investigation, and the Oregon State Police plan to release more details next week. Authorities have revealed that he managed to escape custody while fully restrained and fled the facility in a Dodge minivan.
Law enforcement was notified about Pray’s escape at 10:45 pm local time on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Oregon State Police.
“At the time of his escape, he was fully restrained with leg shackles, a belly chain, handcuffs, and a restraint connecting all three together,” said the police. “He was wearing a white t-shirt, maroon sweatpants, and black rubber slippers.”
Pray, who is considered extremely dangerous, was initially in custody at the Multnomah County jail on several serious charges, including attempted aggravated murder. He was transferred to the hospital on Wednesday.
Pray is believed to have escaped after stealing a white 2016 Dodge Caravan and eluded capture during a police chase. Law enforcement terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns, and Pray managed to avoid apprehension.
The authorities are continuing their investigation into Pray’s escape and are working to prevent similar incidents in the future.