Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Killer’s attempted escape foiled

An attempt to escape by a killer, convicted of the murder of her mother, was foiled Friday at a security gate at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center in Las Vegas.

Brookey Lee West was able to disguise her clothing and appearance and tried to escape while the other inmates were on their way to breakfast.

But West, 59, was recognized by the prison staff as she tried to leave.

She is serving a life term without the possibility of parole.

Prison officials said she was placed in a secure housing area and the center is in lockdown while the incident is investigated.

The body of West's mother, Christine Smith, was found in a plastic bag in a storage shed in February 1998. Newspaper accounts at the time said West practiced Satanism and occultism. Authorities said they have still not solved the murder of her ex-husband.

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