Reward increases as hunt for escaped murder suspect expands
VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The search for missing murder suspect Rafael McCloud has expanded in Warren County, where he escaped from a jail a week ago, into nearby Mississippi and Louisiana counties where sightings of McCloud were reported, according to the Vicksburg Post.
The day after McCloud escaped, the city of Vicksburg and CrimeStoppers announced a reward of $7,500 for information leading to his capture, but contributions from Warren County, a local businessman and a GoFundMe online donation campaign, have pushed the total to nearly $27,000.
Local and federal officials are currently hunting McCloud, accused of rape, murder and other crimes, in the June 2015 death of Sharen Wilson. Police say he used a homemade knife to corner a jail employee on March 2, stealing the person's uniform, keys and radio, before fleeing.
Wilson's body was discovered by a group of so-called ghost hunters exploring a notorious, nearly two century old, abandoned hospital. McCloud was arrested that day, allegedly driving McCloud's car. Prosecutors say Wilson's ordeal began the night before, when McCloud allegedly showed up at Wilson's house.
"He entered her home at night, held her against her will throughout the night and during that period of time sexually assaulted her," Warren County District Attorney Richard Smith, Jr., told 48 Hours' Crimesider last week.
Police believe McCloud ransacked Wilson's home, then brought her to Kuhn Memorial State Hospital, where she was shot and killed.
McCloud was indicted in January on charges of capital murder, sexual battery, rape, arson, home invasion, being a felon in possession of a firearm and grand larceny auto theft, records show