Derrick Groves, convicted of double murder, is still at large 66 days after escaping from a New Orleans jail along with nine others on May 16, 2025. Authorities have recaptured all other escapees, leaving Groves as the only fugitive still on the run.
Groves is considered the most dangerous of the group. He was convicted of killing two people at a family gathering in 2018. His escape involved dismantling a toilet in his cell, crawling through a wall, and scaling a fence.
Early leads suggested Groves was hiding in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward near family and friends, but searches there have been unsuccessful. Investigators believe Groves has received help from acquaintances and even a former corrections officer, several of whom now face criminal charges.
Federal officials say public tips have sharply declined, and with fewer leads, they may now “need to get lucky” to capture Groves. Over 700 tips were initially received, but actionable information has slowed almost to a halt.
Authorities caution that while most fugitives are caught within a year, the longer Groves remains free, the harder it becomes to find him. Still, they note that the high-profile nature of the case could make it difficult for him to stay hidden indefinitely.
A reward of $50,000 remains for information leading to his arrest.
