Search ongoing for murder suspect who escaped hospital
WESTON, W.Va. -Officials said a murder suspect scaled a 15-foot fence to escape from a West Virginia psychiatric hospital.
The search continued for Rocco Jesse Zuccaro, 30, of Smith Township, who escaped Monday from the William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital in Weston.
Law enforcement officials told The Exponent Telegram Zuccaro may have had help in fleeing the area.
Zuccaro was awaiting trial for the Feb. 18, 2013, shooting death of Jason Pratz in Brooke County, W.Va. Pratz was found shot to death outside his Wellsburg home. Zuccaro, who was reportedly the last person seen with Pratz, was arrested two months after the shooting.
He was at Sharpe for a psychological evaluation.
Zuccaro is 6 feet tall, weighs 170 pounds, has dark hair, mustache and was last seen wearing black pants with a rip in the left leg, dark blue or black pullover shirt and glasses.
Smith Township police Chief Bernie LaRue said anyone with information on Zuccaro’s whereabouts should call 911. He also said he should not be approached.