Barking Dog Helps Police End 9-Day Manhunt for ‘Tired and Worn Out’ Escaped Survivalist and Accused Murderer Michael Burham

A barking dog helped police in Pennsylvania end a 9-day manhunt for escaped homicide suspect and “dangerous self-taught” survivalist Michael C. Burnham, according to authorities.

Around 4 p.m. on July 15, officials received a call on the tip line from some residents in Warren County about a suspicious individual, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Officers established a large perimeter around the area and officers tracked Burham through the woods. The fugitive attempted to hide when he approached perimeter troopers near Logan Road, officials said.

Officers were able to take him into custody by 5:50 p.m., Burham, officials said.

Burham was taken to the Pennsylvania State Police station in Warren to be processed, but Bivens said he will not be housed in the Warren County Prison. That will be determined following his arraignment.

Burham was not armed when he was apprehended and in a press conference, Lt. Col. George Bivens, the state police’s deputy commissioner of operations, said Burham looked “tired and worn out,” and he was wearing his prison pants inside-out, according to the Erie Times-News.

Bivens said investigators will continue to see whether Burham received any assistance during the past nine days. He added Burham potentially accessed some survival equipment and during the manhunt, police found bags that were ultimately linked to Burham using DNA tests. Some of the bags contained ammunition, which led to concerns that Burham was armed.

The tip that helped capture Burham came from a Warren County resident, whose dog was barking at the rear of his property, the Erie Times-News reported.

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The resident encountered Burham and had a brief conversation, in which Burham said “something about camping,” according to the publication. The property owner recognized Burham and called police as Burham fled into the woods.

Bivens said Burham’s mistake was that he “came out into the open and was spotted by an individual.”

As Front Page Detectives previously reported, Burham stands accused of raping and murdering Kala Hodgkin in May.

After an arrest warrant was issued in May, Burham then allegedly kidnapped an elderly couple. He forced them to drive him 800 miles to Charleston, South Carolina. Once there, he abandoned the couple at a cemetery before making his escape.