TN. Escaped Inmate Killed a Prison Official Prior to his Escape.

Update: Captured .. 

A Manhunt is under way for an escaped convict Curtis Ray Watson. Who Escaped 
Wednesday and is considered armed and dangerous. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations believe Watson Killed a Prison Official, one 
Debra Johnson. She didn't show up for work and officials found her murdered on 
Prison property.  

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/tennessee-escaped-inmate-was-at-a-prison-officials-home-hours-before-she-was-found-dead/ar-AAFBX73?ocid=spartandhp

Authorities believe Johnson, 64, was killed and Watson is a suspect in her death.

250 tips and zero credible sightings

Watson was serving a 15-year sentence for aggravated kidnapping. He was discovered missing about 11 a.m. Wednesday, when officials conducted a check of inmates.

He fled the area in a tractor, which was found just over a mile from the crime scene, along with his prison identification.

The TBI said it has received 250 tips and zero credible sightings of him, and is offering a reward of $52,500. It's warned people in the immediate prison area to be on the lookout and double-check their property, crawl spaces and dog houses -- anywhere someone could hide. Those with trail or property surveillance cameras should check those too, officials said.

"He could be anywhere," TBI Director David Rausch said.

The TBI added Watson to its Most Wanted list. It tweeted pictures of his tat

"He could be anywhere," TBI Director David Rausch said.

The TBI added Watson to its Most Wanted list. It tweeted pictures of his tattoos and his face, and additional mug shots in case he changed the appearance of his facial hair after his escape.

"Rest assured that we will find this offender and bring justice to the family of Debra Johnson," Commissioner Tony Parker of the Tennessee Department of Correction said. "Debra is known as a very dedicated, professional correctional employee respected both by the offender population and the people who work for our department."

Investigators issue a blue alert

Tennessee officials have issued a blue alert -- only the third since the designation's inception in 2011. It's done when a law enforcement officer is killed, sustains life-threatening injuries or is missing.

The West Tennessee State Penitentiary is in Henning, about 45 miles northeast of Memphis.

This is Watson's second prison stint. He previously was in prison for aggravated child abuse and was released in 2011. He returned to prison in 2013.