Inmate John Manard, who inspired a movie with his escape from a Kansas prison in a dog crate, passes away at 45.

John Manard, the infamous inmate who escaped from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate and inspired a book and TV movie, has passed away at the age of 45 while still behind bars. His death occurred at the La Palma Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona, as confirmed by the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of his death is pending the results of an autopsy, according to department spokesperson Jennifer King.

Manard was serving a life sentence for a killing in suburban Kansas City when he met Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked at the prison helping inmates train animals for adoption. The two developed a romantic relationship, leading to their infamous escape on February 12, 2006. Young, then 47, aided Manard, then 27, to escape by hiding him in a crate and driving him out of the prison.

Authorities captured the pair 12 days later in east Tennessee, and upon searching their remote cabin, they found peculiar items such as a parakeet, sex toys, a guitar, and sheet music to the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Young was sentenced for her role in the escape and also pleaded guilty to giving a gun to Manard. She was released in 2008 and later wrote a book about her experience titled “Living With Conviction.”

The escape story gained national attention and was featured on shows like “Dateline,” as well as inspiring the Lifetime movie “Jailbreak Lovers.” In a letter to a Kansas City television station, Manard described his relationship with Young as a “fairytale love the size of infinity.” He also wrote a letter to the Kansas City Star, referring to himself as a “17-year-old child” and expressing remorse for the fatal carjacking that led to his life sentence.

Despite their tumultuous past, Young, now known as Toby Dorr following a remarriage, expressed sorrow over Manard’s passing in a heartfelt Facebook post. She wished him peace and acknowledged his newfound freedom in death.

The saga of John Manard and Toby Young captivated audiences with its mix of romance, crime, and daring escape, showcasing the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of impulsive actions. Although their story has come to an end with Manard’s passing, it leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered through books, movies, and news reports for years to come.