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As if the story of an Oklahoma couple — who authorities believe were murdered in New Mexico by escapees from an Arizona prison — couldn’t get any worse… Turns out the couple was about to have a grandchild.
Authorities believe escapees Tracy Province — who was taken into custody this morning — and John McCluskey, as well as his fiancee/cousin, Casslyn Welch, murdered Linda and Gary Haas — both 61 and from Tecumseh, Oklahoma.
The charred remains of Linda and Gary Haas were found in their camper in a remote section of eastern New Mexico.
The Haas’ truck was found nearly 100 miles away in Albuquerque.
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While the attention of the Arizona media is focused on capturing the remaining fugitives, news outlets in Oklahoma are reporting a different side of the story: on the family of the couple who’s chance encounter with fugitives probably cost them their lives.
By all accounts, Linda and Gary Haas were good, hard-working people. They worked at a General Motors plant and drove their RV to Colorado every summer for a family vacation.
Sadly, they will never know a grandchild to be born in a few months to their pregnant daughter.
The Haas’ annual vacation is what police believe caused their path to cross that of the murderous prison escapees desperate to remain free.
McCluskey and Welch remain on the loose. Police believe they’re somewhere near Yellowstone National Park.
Anyone with info on the whereabouts of the duo is asked to call 911 or the Arizona Department of Corrections at 602-542-1212.
