5-Month Manhunt Leads To Murder Suspect Mistakenly Released From Bay Area Jail

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A five-month manhunt ended Sunday after authorities found and arrested a murder suspect mistakenly freed from a Bay Area jail.

Federal authorities captured Isaiah Jamon Andrews on April 1 in St. Louis, ending a search that began with his accidental release from a Contra Costa County jail despite an active murder warrant, according to authorities.

Andrews, 20, now awaits extradition to Seattle, where prosecutors have charged him with first-degree murder in the Oct. 15, 2025, killing of Theodore Wheeler outside a Seattle hotel, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Andrews, a Seattle resident, was first arrested on Oct. 18 in connection with the fatal shooting after leading Contra Costa Sheriff's deputies, along with Antioch and Pittsburg police, on a chase.

He was released from the Martinez Detention Facility on Oct. 22, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office.

Authorities realized the error and launched a search for Andrews. Contra Costa County sheriff’s officials confirmed on Oct. 27 that Andrews had been mistakenly released from the jail days earlier, and despite a search of the area, he could not be located and was believed to no longer be in the Bay Area.

The U.S. Marshals Service was called in to assist with the search.

RELATED: Accused Murderer Accidentally Released From Bay Area Jail

Andrews will be extradited back to Washington on a murder warrant, according to the Seattle Police Department.

Andrews was also being held on local charges and a juvenile warrant out of Sacramento when he was arrested.

"We extend our thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance, efforts, and arrest of Andrews," Contra Costa Sheriff spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

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