Authorities captured a long-term fugitive Monday after discovering her concealed inside an air conditioning vent, ending a nearly two-year multi-county manhunt.
Kayla McKenzie was taken into custody in Moultrie, Georgia, according to a statement released by the Grady County Sheriff’s Office. McKenzie had been evading law enforcement since 2024 on an outstanding felony bench warrant.
The arrest followed a critical tip placing McKenzie at a private residence in Moultrie, roughly 35 miles from Grady County. Investigators from the Grady County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office to descend on the location.
Upon securing the premises and obtaining a search warrant, deputies conducted a systematic sweep of the interior. They eventually located McKenzie squeezed inside a floor-level air conditioning return vent.
“When officers arrived at the location, they found McKenzie allegedly hiding inside the vent of an air conditioner on the ground,” Grady County officials confirmed.
McKenzie was transported to a regional detention facility without further incident. While the primary focus of her arrest remains the original felony bench warrant, authorities have not yet confirmed if she will face additional charges for bail jumping or resisting arrest during her time as a fugitive.
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Bench warrants are typically issued by judges when a defendant fails to comply with court orders or misses a mandatory appearance. In this instance, the felony nature of the underlying warrant underscores the severity of the original charges McKenzie was facing.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed the identity of the informant or the specific nature of the original felony charge. Details regarding McKenzie’s legal representation or potential plea deals were not immediately available as of Friday.
The successful apprehension marks the conclusion of a 24-month investigation that spanned multiple jurisdictions in Southwest Georgia. Local authorities credit the “seamless collaboration” between the Grady and Colquitt County departments for the safe resolution of the case.
