Despite being a prime suspect, things became more suspicious when Kemp took off. A man came forward alerting police of a firearm he had sold Kemp. Comparing bullets the man had previously fired with the bullets found at the crime scene confirmed suspicions, Kemp was the murderer. Kemp would finally be taken down when he failed to properly identify himself in Bison, CA to a CHP officer. This would lead to him fleeing and creating a 2-hour stand off with him threatening suicide, gun pressed firmly against his temple. He would be distracted while speaking to his mother on the phone, authorities firing bean bag rounds at the deranged suspect. The murder weapon was found and he was quickly extradited back to Oklahoma to await his trial in Comanche County Jail.

While awaiting trial, Kemp and a number of other inmates took a prison guard hostage via grilling fork. The gang escaped custody and went on the run. All of the inmates were captured shortly after the incident except for Kemp. Rumors of Kemp sitings were reported to authorities; Texas, Louisiana, Canada. One of the most promising leads was in June of 1999 where he was alleged to have been staying in a hotel under an assumed name. His rent was due but Kemp had no money so he attempted to make good on a promise from a year earlier. The hotel manager got tired of knocking and entered Kemp’s room. There he found Kemp sprawled in the bath tub with a knife near by. He had slashed his wrists and was rushed to the hospital where staff were able to save him. After a brief psychiatric evaluation, he was released and on the run once more. It was far too late before anyone realized who the man actually was. He was last seen leaving a Las Vegas gas station.

The case was kept alive over the years through appearances on shows like Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Wanted. The family of the victims also held a spotlight on the crimes, getting news coverage when ever possible to keep the killer’s name fresh in people’s minds.

After nearly 14 years on the run, Kemp approached a sleeping truck driver at a rest stop on April 26th, 2013. He told the man, “I need you to call Comanche County sheriff's department to come up here. I need to talk to them.” A deputy arrived, identified Kemp and arrested him immediately. He claimed he was tired of running and that years on the run was affecting his health. He would plead guilty and skip trial in exchange for life in prison. He also bartered the investigation into whomever was helping him live would cease. Law enforcement accepted the deal. It was a bitter-sweet ending for the family of the victims. They finally got the cold blooded murderer, David Lee Kemp, behind bars and will most likely die there, but those who helped him over the last decade would not be charged with knowingly helping a wanted fugitive.