Richard Matt, born on May 25, 1966, in Tonawanda, New York, had a tumultuous childhood. He spent his early teenage years in a group home after being accused of theft from a houseboat. This early encounter with law enforcement set the stage for the criminal behavior that would define much of his life.
Richard Matt's criminal career began with a heinous act - the murder of his boss, William Rickerson. This was just the beginning of a violent spree that would ultimately lead to his downfall. He later killed an engineer named Charles Arnold Perreault, cementing his reputation as a dangerous and ruthless individual.
Despite being incarcerated multiple times, Matt managed to escape from prison in 1986 while serving time at the Erie County Correctional Facility. This daring escape marked the beginning of a pattern of fleeing justice that would become a defining characteristic of his criminal career.
Richard Matt gained notoriety for his numerous prison escapes, the most famous of which occurred in 2015. Alongside fellow inmate David Sweat, Matt orchestrated a daring escape from New York's Clinton Correctional Facility. The escape captivated the nation and led to a massive manhunt that ultimately ended in tragedy.
After weeks on the run, Richard Matt's luck finally ran out. He was shot and killed by police, bringing an end to his life of crime once and for all. The dramatic conclusion to his story drew comparisons to the infamous escape depicted in Stephen King's novella-turned-film The Shawshank Redemption.
Despite his criminal activities, Richard Matt was still a human being with a personal life. He had a half-sibling named Wayne M. Schimpf and was also a father to a son. These relationships humanize a man who was often depicted as a cold-blooded killer.
Richard Matt's story is a cautionary tale of how a life of crime can ultimately lead to a tragic end. His daring escapes and violent crimes have left a lasting impact on the criminal justice system and serve as a reminder of the dangers of crossing the line into illegal behavior.
Though his life was marked by violence and a disregard for the law, Richard Matt's story serves as a grim reminder of the consequences that can come from a life of crime. His legacy will forever be intertwined with the daring escapes and violent acts that defined his criminal career.