Escaped inmate found dead after hours-long standoff in Callaway County

An hours-long standoff came to an end Wednesday night in Callaway County.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office confirmed escaped inmate Seth MacVittie was found dead inside a home on Primrose Lane.

MacVittie escaped the county jail last Friday.

At about 2 p.m. Wednesday, deputies believed they saw MacVittie inside the home. Deputies and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were then called to secure a perimeter around the residence.

Sheriff Clay Chism said everyone else inside the home was able to safely leave and were removed from the area.

As the evening went on, Chism said there appeared to be no movement inside and attempts to contact MacVittie were unsuccessful.

Around 11 p.m., SWAT team members entered the home to find MacVittie dead.

“We were hoping for a peaceful outcome,” said Chism, stressing the man’s death was not related to contact from law enforcement.

A cause of death has not been released.

When asked how MacVittie was able to escape the jail last week, Chism said, “I can’t go into detail, but I can tell you we do have an idea. There is a construction project going on at the jail. That definitely played into the escape.”

ABC 17 News will continue to bring you updates on this investigation.