Murder suspect escapes Cottonport women's prison

 A woman prisoner who was being held for a double homicide has escaped the prison in Cottonport.

Melissa A. Hayes was arrested in February for the double homicide that occurred on 21st Street in Alexandria

Avoyelles Sheriff's officials say that on Saturday she broke the lock on the back door of a dormitory in the prison, ran through a recreation yard, and climbed over a wire fence.

Video cameras at a Shell Station in Cottonport shows Hayes entering into what is believed to be an older model black Ford Mustang with a chrome gas cap.

Hayes is believed to be in the company of an unidentified older black male heading in the direction of Mansura.

They could be heading towards the Alexandria area.

She is wearing a white t-shirt, gray sweat pants, and white tennis shoes. She could be cut up badly from the wire fence.

The sheriff urges everyone to be on the look out for this fugitive. If you see or know any information about the suspect dial 911.