A new true crime docuseries landing on Hulu on February 19, 2026, is already generating buzz for its unbelievable but completely true story. “Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” tells the shocking tale of a convicted killer who simply walked out of a maximum-security prison and managed to stay free for months. Viewers are curious about the woman at the center of it all and whether the events depicted really happened. Here is the detailed look at the real-life case of Sarah Jo Pender.
The Real Person Behind the Docuseries
The series centers on Sarah Jo Pender, an Indiana woman whose case includes murder, a daring escape, and a nationwide manhunt. Back in October 2000, Pender was living in an Indianapolis apartment with her boyfriend, Richard Hull, and another couple, Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman. On the night of October 24, gunshots ended the lives of Cataldi and Nordman. Their bodies were later discovered in a dumpster .
Pender has always maintained that she was not present when the shootings happened. According to her account, she had left to go for a walk, and when she returned, Hull had already shot the couple and was loading their bodies into a truck . She claims she only helped him dispose of the bodies because she was terrified Hull would kill her too if she refused or went to the police .
The Trial and the “Female Charles Manson” Label
Both Pender and Hull were arrested and charged with the murders. Hull eventually pleaded guilty and received a lengthy prison sentence . Pender, however, went to trial in 2002. The prosecution’s case heavily relied on the testimony of a fellow inmate named Floyd Pennington, who claimed Pender confessed to him that she masterminded the killings and manipulated Hull into pulling the trigger .
The prosecutor at the time, Larry Sells, painted a dark picture of Pender in court. He famously called her the “female Charles Manson,” arguing she had a unique ability to control and manipulate those around her . The jury found her guilty on two counts of murder, and she was sentenced to 110 years in prison .
The 2008 Prison Break
Pender was sent to the Rockville Correctional Facility, a medium-to-maximum security prison in Indiana. She had served about six years when she managed to pull off one of the most brazen escapes in the state’s history . On August 4, 2008, during a routine inmate count, guards realized Pender was missing from her cell .
The investigation revealed she had inside help. Pender had started a relationship with a prison guard, Scott Spitler. On the night of the escape, Spitler helped her change into casual clothes and sneak out of a recreation building. He then drove her off prison grounds in a white van . A former inmate named Jamie Long also helped, picking Pender up from the prison parking lot and giving her money and clothes . Pender assumed a fake identity, calling herself “Ashley Thompson,” and made her way to Chicago, where she found an apartment and even a job, successfully hiding in plain sight .
How America’s Most Wanted Led to Her Capture
While on the run, Pender became the only woman on the U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list . Despite the nationwide search, she evaded capture for months. Her freedom ended thanks to a television show. In September 2008, “America’s Most Wanted” profiled her case .
Months later, in December, the show aired a rerun. A viewer in Chicago who happened to be Pender’s neighbor recognized her from the broadcast and immediately called police with an anonymous tip . On December 22, 2008, authorities surrounded her apartment and took her back into custody without incident .
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Where Is Sarah Pender Now and the Questions About Her Conviction
Today, Sarah Pender remains in prison at the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis. Her earliest possible release date is currently set for January 12, 2054 . However, the story does not end there. In the years since her trial, serious doubts have emerged about whether she received a fair judgment.
In a stunning reversal, Larry Sells, the very prosecutor who called her the “female Charles Manson,” has changed his mind. He later discovered a letter written by the key witness, Floyd Pennington, indicating that Pennington was willing to lie on the stand in exchange for a plea deal on his own charges . Sells now believes there is reasonable doubt about Pender’s guilt.
“I never had anything like this happen in any case I ever prosecuted before. It took a long time for me to come to the conclusion I’ve come to now. Justice is long overdue for Sarah Pender. Unfortunately, the legal system has to date failed her, but that grievous error can and should be corrected,” Sells said .
Pender’s legal team has filed multiple motions to reduce her sentence or win her release. In December 2025, she appeared in court, pleading for a sentence modification.
“Today is one of the biggest days of my life because I’m asking for the chance to be free and not die in prison,” Pender said in court .
Despite her emotional plea, a judge officially denied her request in January 2026 . The docuseries includes exclusive interviews with Pender, her family, and even Richard Hull from prison, giving viewers a chance to hear from everyone involved in this complex and troubling case .
“Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” starts streaming on Hulu and on Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers on February 19.
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