Inmate who escaped prison by hiding in dumpster found dead in river

HENDERSON, Ky. (WOIO/WFIE/Gray News) - An inmate who had been on the run for five days after escaping an Ohio prison was found dead in a river, according to authorities.

Police said in a news conference the body of 50-year-old Bradley Gillespie was pulled from the Henderson riverfront in Kentucky on Sunday.

Police were called out to the riverfront after receiving reports of a body seen floating in the water.

Gillespie’s body was found after a five-day manhunt involving several law enforcement agencies. An autopsy is set for Tuesday.

Gillespie is a convicted double murderer who authorities say escaped from an Ohio prison with another inmate, 46-year-old James Lee.

The two escaped from the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima last week.

According to state authorities, the men escaped the prison by hiding in a dumpster.

Police said they arrested Lee in a car crash involving a stolen vehicle on Wednesday.

Lee was convicted of burglary, breaking and entering, and safecracking in Allen and Auglaize Counties.

Officials also confirmed they have placed four employees, three corrections officers and a major, on paid administrative leave while the department’s internal investigation continues.

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