A fugitive Louisiana inmate took an assistant warden's teenage step-daughter hostage and fatally stabbed her before he was shot dead in a standoff with police.

Amanda Leigh Carney, 19, was killed near the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer on Thursday afternoon by escaped inmate Deltra Henderson.

The 39-year-old inmate was reported missing from the prison at about 1.40pm after he walked away from his work assignment.

Amanda, who is the step-daughter of assistant warden James Arnold, was abducted by the inmate.

Amanda Leigh Carney, 19, was killed near the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, Louisiana on Thursday afternoon by escaped inmate Deltra Henderson

The teenager lived on the grounds of the prison with her family, KTBS reports.

She graduated from Summerfield High School in May and was due to attend Southern Arkansas University in the coming weeks to study nursing.

Deltra Henderson, 39, was reported missing from the prison at about 1.40pm after he walked away from his work assignment

The girl's mother, Andrea Bell, also works at the prison.

Henderson had taken Amanda hostage in a car he had stolen from the prison grounds. He crashed the car soon after in a remote area north of the prison and fled the area.

Amanda's body was found by police in the wooded area near the crash site. It is not clear at what point in the afternoon she was stabbed to death.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office say Henderson then stole another vehicle before crashing it again.

Officers found Henderson hiding in a home on prison property later in the afternoon and surrounded the building.

The inmate had found a firearm inside the home and opened fire on the officers as they approached.

Henderson, who had barricaded himself inside the trailer, was killed when authorities fired back.

Amanda had graduated from Summerfield High School in May and was due to attend Southern Arkansas University in the coming weeks to study nursing

Officers found Henderson hiding in this trailer home (above) on prison property later in the afternoon and surrounded the building. The inmate was killed in a shootout with police

Inmate Deltra Henderson, 39, was shot dead by police on Thursday after he was reported missing from the David Wade Correctional Center in Louisiana at about 1.40pm

He had been at the prison since 2001 on convictions of attempted armed robbery, aggravated burglary and cocaine distribution.

He had a good time release date of March 28, 2025.

Amanda's high school is set to hold a vigil for her at some point next week.

'There's no words to express the sorrow in our hearts today,' Summerfield High Principal Shane Lee said, according to KSLA.

'We lost one of our own. A young lady that we cherish. A lady that excelled in academics, athletics, and was a true role model to fellow classmates. Please be in prayer for the Summerfield School community, her family, and Claiborne Parish.'

Henderson stole a car but crashed it not far from the David Wade Correctional Center complex

He is suspected of taking the assistant warden's teenage step-daughter hostage and stabbing her to death. Her body was found in a wooded area

A team of grief counselors were sent to the prison on Friday to give counseling to staff, relatives, and offenders following the ordeal.

'Our hearts hurt today as we grieve, and mourn the loss of one of our own,' said James M. Le Blanc of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

'This is a dark day for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young lady, David Wade staff, and all those affected by this tragedy.

I am extremely proud of our staff for their outstanding dedication and professionalism as well as their strength and rapid response in handling this tragic situation. We're thankful for our law enforcement partners, Louisiana State Police and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office, for their tremendous response and support.'

Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into the incident.