A national manhunt is underway for an Army deserter who allegedly killed his estranged wife more than a month ago and then ran off with a 17-year-old girl.
John Tufton Blauvelt, 28, allegedly stabbed Catherine Blauvelt, 22, to death on October 24 before disappearing weeks later with Hannah Thompson.
Blauvelt has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the US Marshals Service.
The active-duty Army recruiter, who often visited high schools, is now being classified as a deserter by the US Army.
Catherine Blauvelt was found dead inside a small concrete cellar in the basement of an abandoned home in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
The US Army veteran was reported missing after family members hadn't seen or heard from her for a couple of hours, according to WNCN.
Catherine's friends found her body in the house, which has been abandoned for 20 years but was a popular high school hangout spot, police said.
Authorities said Blauvelt was immediately a suspect in her murder due to the couple's past, which included a number of domestic abuse calls at their home.
Blauvelt was questioned by police, but before they could arrest him he disappeared with Thompson - who authorities said was his girlfriend.
For weeks Blauvelt's last known location to police was at the Las Cruces, New Mexico border on November 15.
But then, on December 12 , Thompson went to a family friend's home in Eugene, Oregon and told her parents she wanted to come back.
Thompson told police she had last seen Blauvelt that day, but that he had left and abandoned her.
Simpsonville Deputy Chief Steve Moore said police are hoping Thompson will be able to 'fill in the blanks' of what happened since the pair disappeared.
Chief Keith Morton also revealed that Blauvelt had brought Thompson to the mortuary to view his wife's body, according to WYFF.
A second man, Charles Sidney Scott, has also been charged with Catherine's murder.
Scott, 31, was already in jail on another charge.
Charles Sidney Scott, 31, has also been charged with Catherine's murder
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Charles Sidney Scott, 31, has also been charged with Catherine's murder
His arrest warrant was served on November 18, the same day Blauvelt was charged.
Authorities now believe Blauvelt is traveling alone and could be anywhere along the West Coast.
The US Marshals said in a statement that he is known to stay at camps, parks and areas that are often used by the homeless, according to the Arizona Republic.
Blauvelt is 5ft 8in, 185 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his chest, left wrist and arm and right arm.
He may be carrying a military-style green camouflage backpack and known to go by the aliases Blue Blauvelt, John Bluefields, Vincent Mendoza and Victor Sacceti.
A reward of $2,500 is being offered for information leading to Blauvelt's capture.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the US Marshals tip line at 800.336.0102
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Originally Posted by bowieluva
