New York Prison Break: Has The Trail For Richard Matt and David Sweat Gone Cold?

The manhunt for the convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat who escaped from a New York prison seemed to be nearing its end last week, but sources say that the once promising trail has since gone cold.

New York Prison Break Update

Since last week, when investigators found human tracks and a bloodhound was thought to have picked up a scent of Matt and Sweat, a New York state official tells CNN that nothing has turned up. Authorities have not found any more clues to point them in the direction of the escaped convicts.

It has been 10 days since Matt and Sweat broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. Eight hundred law enforcement officials have been involved in tracking down the fugitives, who, by this point, could have made it far beyond New York state. Investigators maintain, though, that it remains possible that they’re in the woods near the prison.

Tips have been pouring in to the New York State Police about possible sighting of the escapees. While some have placed Matt and Sweat near the prison, others have claimed to have spotted them in Vermont, and as far away as Mexico.

Authorities initially doubted that Matt and Sweat could have gotten far, as their plan for a getaway driver fell through. Prison tailor Joyce Mitchell, who is said to have carried on relationships with the two men and helped them plot their escape, allegedly got cold feet when it came time to carry out the final task.

Mitchell appeared in court Monday for a preliminary hearing for charges relating to aiding the men in their escape. As she has not paid bond, she remains behind bars. If convicted, she could face up to eight years in prison.

At the time of his escape, Sweat was serving a life sentence with no chance of parole, while Matt was serving 25 years to life.