James Mauney, 83, was killed on March 20, 2024, in the Juliaetta, Idaho, area after being abducted while walking his dogs. The case links his death to a larger episode: inmates Skylar Meade and an accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, escaped custody following a shootout at a Boise hospital and led authorities on a multi-county flight. During that flight the two encountered Mauney, forced him and his dogs into his 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, drove him several miles to a remote area near Leland, and Mauney’s body was later recovered in nearby farm fields. Mauney’s dogs were later found alive at the residence of another homicide victim, Gerald Don Henderson, in Orofino.

A Nez Perce County grand jury has indicted Meade, 32, and Umphenour, 29, on first-degree murder charges in Mauney’s death, and prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if convicted. Family described Mauney as a kind, generous dog lover; his wife Liliia said the alleged killers took away her heart. If anyone knew Mauney or has information about his abduction and killing, please come forward to investigators.