The Biggest Manhunt in Texas History Sparked By ‘Animal’ Killer

In 1986, Texas was on edge during one of the biggest manhunts in its history. It all started when a man named Jerry "Animal" McFadden, a convicted rapist with a long criminal record, escaped and committed a horrific crime.

According to an article from the Tyler Morning Telegraph, McFadden abducted, raped, and murdered an 18-year-old cheerleader named Suzanne Harrison in the small town of Hawkins. He also took two other teenagers hostage, setting off a frantic statewide search for the dangerous fugitive.

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LOOK: THE BIGGEST MANHUNT IN TEXAS HISTORY SPARKED BY 'ANIMAL' KILLER

The manhunt quickly turned into one of the biggest ever seen in Texas. Local cops, state troopers, and federal agents teamed up to find McFadden. They set up roadblocks, searched door-to-door, and used helicopters to comb the area. With over 100 officers involved, the search effort grew even larger, but McFadden was a sneaky escape artist. He used his knowledge of the East Texas woods to stay hidden which kept everyone on high alert for days.

People all over Texas were rattled, knowing that a violent killer was still on the loose. Tension remained high as officers kept up their search following every lead they could get their hands on. Finally, after several days, they found McFadden hiding in the woods close to where the crime happened. His capture brought a huge sense of relief across the state.

McFadden was later convicted of Suzanne’s murder and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1999, closing out the story of a man whose crimes had sparked fear across Texas. The 1986 search for Jerry "Animal" McFadden is still remembered as one of the state’s most intense manhunts, showing how far things can go to catch a dangerous criminal.