The Great Escape: How Prisoner Lester Eubanks Vanished While Christmas Shopping in 1973

In one of the most baffling escapes in U.S. criminal history, Lester Eubanks, a convicted murderer from Ohio, vanished in 1973 while out on a Christmas shopping trip—and nearly five decades later, he’s still missing. His story remains one of the most embarrassing lapses in law enforcement supervision and a chilling reminder of how easily justice can slip away.

The Crime That Started It All

Lester Eubanks was convicted for the 1965 murder of 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener in Mansfield, Ohio. Deener, a young girl on her way to a laundromat, encountered Eubanks, who brutally attacked and killed her. Initially sentenced to death by electric chair, Eubanks’ sentence was later commuted to life in prison in 1972 after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily abolished the death penalty.

While behind bars, Eubanks was considered a “model inmate.” He participated in prison art programs and was described by some staff as quiet and cooperative—behavior that would ultimately lead to one of the most infamous escapes in Ohio’s history.

The “Good Behavior” Christmas Pass

On December 7, 1973, prison officials at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus decided to reward Eubanks for his good behavior by allowing him to take part in an honor furlough—a trip into the community for Christmas shopping. He was escorted to a local mall and given permission to roam freely for several hours before returning to a prearranged pickup point.

Eubanks never showed up.

When officers returned to the designated meeting spot, he was gone without a trace. No one thought a convicted murderer serving a life sentence would be granted such freedom—but it happened, and Eubanks used the opportunity to disappear into thin air.

The Aftermath and Manhunt

For decades, Eubanks remained on the run, managing to evade authorities despite occasional sightings and reported leads. The U.S. Marshals Service believes he may have lived under various aliases, possibly working in labor-related jobs and blending into new communities.

In 2018, his case gained renewed attention after it was featured on the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries.” This exposure led to new tips and public awareness, but no confirmed sightings have led to his capture.

In 2020, the U.S. Marshals added Lester Eubanks to their list of 15 Most Wanted Fugitives, offering a reward for information leading to his arrest. Investigators have since traced potential movements to areas in California, but his exact whereabouts remain unknown.

Questions That Still Haunt the Case

How could a convicted killer simply be allowed to walk free? The decision to give Eubanks an unsupervised furlough remains one of the most criticized choices in Ohio prison history. Many have questioned the system’s misplaced trust and lack of oversight that enabled his escape.

Even more haunting is the pain that Eubanks’ freedom continues to cause the family of Mary Ellen Deener, who has spent more than 50 years waiting for justice. Her relatives have never stopped hoping for closure, and law enforcement remains committed to finding the fugitive—even after half a century.

A Cold Case That Refuses to Die

Lester Eubanks would be in his 80s today, and though time has passed, the U.S. Marshals Service believes he could still be alive. They continue to follow leads, pursue DNA evidence, and engage the public in hopes of finally bringing him back to face the punishment he evaded for so long.

Until that day comes, Eubanks’ story stands as a chilling example of misplaced trust, systemic failure, and the lingering shadow of a crime that should have been fully answered decades ago.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Lester Eubanks, contact the U.S. Marshals Service immediately.

Justice delayed is not justice denied—but for the family of Mary Ellen Deener, it has been far too long.