Marshal: Fugitive couple likely getting help to stay hidden

PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities believe that a fugitive couple wanted in a killing in Arizona are getting help staying missing.

U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales said Tuesday that deputy marshals are looking at several persons of interest in the search for 56-year-old Blane Barksdale and 59-year-old Susan Barksdale.

Marshals, the FBI and other agencies have been sifting through hundreds of tips since the pair overtook a prison transport van Aug. 26 outside of St. Johns, Arizona.

Gonzales says it’s unlikely they are still using their friend’s pickup truck. He has instructed state transportation officials to stop flashing alerts with the car’s license plate on digital signs.

Marshals believe they are somewhere in the Southwest border states.

The Barksdales were being extradited from upstate New York, where they were arrested in May.