04-12-2012, 09:37 PM
A Mercer County man is on the run and considered armed and dangerous after killing his wife, robbing his parents and abducting his eight-year-old daughter, State Police said Thursday evening.
First Sgt. G.A. Duckworth told reporters that Tracy Atwell, 38, stole his parents' 1999 white Jeep Cherokee Laredo and took off with his daughter Thursday afternoon. As of Thursday evening, he was still not in custody. Atwell is considered armed and extremely dangerous, Duckworth said.
Officials put out an Amber Alert for Porshia Atwell, the eight-year-old daughter, who Duckworth said could be in imminent danger.
Duckworth said Atwell broke into his parents' Camp Creek home at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, tied them up, and informed them he had killed his wife. Atwell then took his daughter and fled in the Jeep, according to police.
Police said they found the wife's body, but have not revealed how she was killed. The investigation is in its preliminary stages, Duckworth said.
Duckworth said the parents had custody of the child, though it was not immediately clear why. Duckworth also said police are unsure whether Atwell had any ongoing disputes with his wife or parents.
Atwell did not indicate where he was headed when he left his parents' home, Duckworth said.
"We have a large manhunt going at this time," Duckworth said.
The Jeep was West Virginia plates 6C3202. Anyone who spots the Jeep is asked to contact police.
"Do not approach the vehicle," Duckworth said. "Call law enforcement."
Atwell is 6'2" tall and weighs about 180 pounds.
![[Image: porshiaatwell1_t615.jpg?9d74a679772b302c...55e904d640]](http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2012/04/12/d1/5e/porshiaatwell1_t615.jpg?9d74a679772b302cd354e1e6e54b2855e904d640)
First Sgt. G.A. Duckworth told reporters that Tracy Atwell, 38, stole his parents' 1999 white Jeep Cherokee Laredo and took off with his daughter Thursday afternoon. As of Thursday evening, he was still not in custody. Atwell is considered armed and extremely dangerous, Duckworth said.
Officials put out an Amber Alert for Porshia Atwell, the eight-year-old daughter, who Duckworth said could be in imminent danger.
Duckworth said Atwell broke into his parents' Camp Creek home at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, tied them up, and informed them he had killed his wife. Atwell then took his daughter and fled in the Jeep, according to police.
Police said they found the wife's body, but have not revealed how she was killed. The investigation is in its preliminary stages, Duckworth said.
Duckworth said the parents had custody of the child, though it was not immediately clear why. Duckworth also said police are unsure whether Atwell had any ongoing disputes with his wife or parents.
Atwell did not indicate where he was headed when he left his parents' home, Duckworth said.
"We have a large manhunt going at this time," Duckworth said.
The Jeep was West Virginia plates 6C3202. Anyone who spots the Jeep is asked to contact police.
"Do not approach the vehicle," Duckworth said. "Call law enforcement."
Atwell is 6'2" tall and weighs about 180 pounds.