The Couple Wanted For Murder And Escaping Capture Have Been Taken Into Custody

The search for a couple who escaped capture in Utah, and was thought to be in Northern Arizona, is over. Wednesday night U.S. Marshals took 56-year-old Blane Barksdale and his 59-year-old wife Susan into custody at a house in Punkin Center, south of Payson and just north of Roosevelt Lake. The Barksdales were wanted in connection of the murder of 72-year-old Frank Bligh on April 16th in Tucson. The two overtook security guards in Blanding, Utah and drove to the White Mountains, where they obtained a pickup truck and left the van behind. Authorities believe the truck was abandoned in the Snowflake area and hasn’t been recovered. Susan was taken into custody without conflict, but Blane had to be tased after yelling at authorities. At least three people helped hide them at the time of their arrest. The Barksdales have been taken to Tucson to face murder charges in connection with Bligh’s death.