MANSFIELD — It’s been more than 53 years since 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener was murdered in Mansfield during what authorities believe was a botched rape attempt.
It’s been more than 52 years since a jury convicted Mansfield’s Lester Eubanks of the crime.
Yet Eubanks, who was originally sentenced to death, hasn’t been in jail since Dec. 7, 1973, when he was allowed to shop unescorted in Columbus as a reward for good behavior in prison. It’s been 45 years, and Eubanks hasn’t been seen by law enforcement since.
Eubanks, 75, has been added to the national Top 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list, according to the U.S. Marshal’s office. A $25,000 reward has been offered for his capture.
“I think about this case every day and the little girl who was killed,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal David Siler, who has worked the case since January 2016 when it was adopted by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force cold case unit. “In law enforcement, there are cases that keep you up at night; this is one of those cases.”
It is one of the most notorious escapes in Ohio history, and particularly baffling is the amount of time, 45 years, Eubanks has been free. Indeed, U.S. Marshals believe Eubanks is alive and living under an alias.
“Lester Eubanks has had a lot of time on the lam,” Siler said. “Fugitives on the run as long as Eubanks tend to use that time to change their appearance, use aliases, and even start new lives. He literally could be hiding in plain sight.
“This is why we are asking citizens to be vigilant and contact us with any information they believe will help us apprehend him.”
Eubanks is a 5-foot, 11-inch black male with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he weighed approximately 175 pounds. Other unique physical characteristics include a mole under his left eye. Over the years, investigative leads placed the long-time fugitive in Michigan and California, but his whereabouts remain a mystery.
He may be using the alias Victor Young to hide his true identity. In 2017, the U.S. Marshals released an age-progression photo (below) of Eubanks.
His story is stunning.
On Dec. 7, 1973, prison officials took Eubanks to a shopping center in Columbus, and allowed him to shop unescorted as a reward for good behavior, the press release said. When Eubanks failed to report to his scheduled pick-up location, he was marked as an escapee. He has eluded authorities for 45 years.
“While the Eubanks case is designated as a cold case, I want to assure the public our investigation into his whereabouts is very active,” said U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Director David Ansdweson. “I have total confidence in our deputies and our law enforcement partners who are determined to make sure Eubanks’ last days are spent in a prison cell where justice intended it.”
On Nov. 14, 1965, Eubanks shot and bludgeoned to death Mary Ellen Deener. Authorities quickly identified Eubanks as the offender. He was arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder while perpetrating rape. On May 25, 1966, a jury found Eubanks guilty of the crimes and sentenced him to death.
In 1972, Eubanks’ death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“The U.S. Marshals are not deterred by the passage of time when it comes to cases like this one,” said U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio. “We are fueled by one thing, and that is justice for 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener of Mansfield, Ohio, the innocent victim in this case.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. The U.S. Marshals have offered a reward up to $25,000 for information directly leading to Eubank’s arrest.
