Richard Matt Dead: Escaped New York Prisoner Killed by Police near Malone

Richard Matt, one of the two escaped New York prisoners, has been killed by police after weeks on the run, officials say.

Richard Matt, 49, was shot dead in woodlands near the town of Malone, about 30 miles from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora.

David Sweat, another convicted murderer, remains at large as police continue to search the area.

Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped through the prison sewer system after using power tools to break out of their cell on June 6.

The New York jailbreak set off a massive manhunt.

Photo U.S. Marshals Service

On June 26, police were called to an area south of Malone where a camper van had been attacked. They found evidence left behind by the pair in a nearby hunting cabin.

Richard Matt was later found in woodland armed with a shotgun, police say. When he refused to surrender officers shot him dead, they add.

A search for David Sweat is continuing in the area. Police say he is dangerous and warned the public not to approach him.

Prisoner worker Joyce Mitchell has been charged with aiding the inmates in their escape.

Prosecutors allege that she gave the men power tools that allowed them to saw through a steel cell wall before bashing a hole through a brick wall and crawling through.

Joyce Mitchell denies the charges.

Before their escape, Richard Matt was serving a prison sentence of 25 years to life for the killing of his former boss.

David Sweat was serving a life sentence for murdering a sheriff’s deputy.