John Nigh prison escape

John Nigh jail escape

Location of Craven County within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Date	January 26, 2025 - February 11, 2025 (16 days)
Location	Craven County Jail, New Bern, North Carolina, U.S.
Coordinates	35°08′N77°11′W / 35.13°N 77.18°W / 35.13; -77.18
Type	Jail escape, manhunt
Participants	3 (including two unnamed cellmates who assisted Nigh)
Charges	Resisting arrest (Craven and Onslow counties) 3 counts of assault on a law enforcement officer (Craven County) 3 counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer (Onslow County) 3 counts of assault on a law enforcement officer (Onslow County) Larceny (Pamlico County) Burglary (Pamlico County) Motor vehicle theft (Pamlico County)
Nigh has been charged with multiple crimes in three North Carolina counties; Craven, Onslow, and Pamlico Nigh was awaiting trial for 3 counts of attempted murder at the Craven County Jail

The jail escape of John Nigh took place on January 26, 2025, when Nigh, who was awaiting trial for attempted murder charges, escaped the Craven County Jail in New Bern, North Carolina, United States. Nigh was assisted in his escape by two cellmates, who removed a ceiling grating in the cell and stuffed Nigh's mattress, to make it appear to correctional officers that he was asleep. Later that day, jail staff noticed his absence, and a manhunt ensued immediately afterward. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]} On February 11, sixteen days after his escape, he was located and arrested in neighboring Pamlico County. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

Escape

Nigh escaped from his cell on January 26, 2025. At approximately 4:00 PM that day, jail staff noticed his escape and authorities were notified. His two cellmates were charged with aiding and abetting in the escape. ^[1]

Manhunt

The manhunt for Nigh continued for sixteen days. Law enforcement agencies in the North Carolina counties of Carteret, Craven, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pitt assisted in the search. The United States Marshals Service also assisted in search efforts. ^[8]

Charges

John Nigh has been charged with multiple crimes in three North Carolina counties; Craven, Onslow, and Pamlico.

Craven County

• Resisting arrest

• Three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer

Onslow County

• Resisting arrest

• Three counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer

• Three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer

Pamlico County

• Burglary

• Larceny

• Motor vehicle theft

References

1. Deliso, Meredith. "Manhunt for North Carolina inmate who escaped from jail through ventilation system: Sheriff's office". ABC News. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
2. "North Carolina inmate escapes prison through ceiling, vents; still loose". CBS17.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
3. America, Good Morning. "Manhunt for North Carolina inmate who escaped from jail through ventilation system: Sheriff's office". Good Morning America. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
4. Glover, Steven (February 5, 2025). "Manhunt continues for possible escaped inmate in Pamlico County". WITN. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
5. "Man with attempted murder charges escapes from Craven County Jail". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
6. Laster, Alaina (February 5, 2025). "Family urges escaped inmate John Matthew Nigh to turn himself in peacefully". WCTI. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
7. "North Carolina inmate accused of attempted murder escapes via ventilation system". NBC News. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
8. Czachor, Emily Mae (January 29, 2025). "Attempted murder suspect escapes through North Carolina jail's ventilation system with cellmates' help, officials say - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
9. "Inmate escapes from Craven County; man previously arrested for attempted murder". WCTI. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
10. Honeycutt, Jordan (February 11, 2025). "Escaped inmate John Nigh arrested in Pamlico County". WNCT. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
11. "John Nigh captured after multi-day manhunt". WCTI. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
12. Geving, Maya (February 11, 2025). "Craven County escapee captured in Pamlico County". WITN. Retrieved February 11, 2025.