Murder suspect recaptured after mistaken jail release in Oregon ends multi-day manhunt
Sheriff says clerical error led to release; authorities vow reforms as victim’s family seeks accountability
TY SAGE, 26, was recaptured in Oregon after authorities say he was mistakenly released from the Multnomah County Detention Center earlier this week, triggering a multi-day manhunt. Sage is charged in connection with the 2021 death of 15-year-old Lowgunn Ivey and faces second-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say Sage posted bond in Portland on Monday, but the release should not have been permitted. A judge had denied bail the day after a Sept. 17 hearing, and a release form dated Sept. 17 shows bail was set at $5,000. Investigators described the release as the result of a clerical error that allowed Sage to be released in violation of the court order. The sheriff’s office said staff acted in good faith and sought clarification with the court, and a preliminary review is underway to determine how the misinterpretation occurred and how to prevent a recurrence.
Late Thursday, authorities announced Sage was taken into custody at around 1 p.m. at a gas station off Highway 101 in Florence, roughly 180 miles from the jail where he had been held. The arrest came with help from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, according to the sheriff’s office. The capture capped a multiday effort to locate Sage after the mistaken release unfolded earlier in the week.
The arrest ends the public safety scare of the manhunt, but officials emphasized that the investigation into the clerical failure will continue. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell said the department would use the incident to strengthen its administrative processes and ensure that proper adherence to court orders is maintained moving forward.
"Ty Sage should never have been able to post bail," O’Donnell said in a press release. "Lowgunn’s family deserved better. As Multnomah County’s sheriff, I am committed to making sure this does not happen again, that we learn from our mistakes, and that Lowgunn’s family can have justice." It was also noted that Sage and 26-year-old Kevin Rivas-Ramirez were arrested earlier this year in connection with the Ivey case, and Sage’s post-release status prompted renewed scrutiny of jail-release procedures.
To the family of Lowgunn Ivey, the young man killed, authorities have acknowledged the impact of the release and the fear it caused. Ivey’s mother, Jodie Ramsey, told FOX 12 she was relieved Sage had been found but lamented the stress the release caused. "I feel like they failed me. I feel like they failed the community as well, not just me, but everybody else’s safety out there, too, because he’s an accused child killer," Ramsey said. She said she is weighing a potential lawsuit against the county while awaiting further developments.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges tied to the clerical error itself, but the case has reignited debate over how quickly courts and jails reconcile released individuals with active warrants and court orders. In the wake of Sage’s recapture, the sheriff’s office said it will review its internal workflows, including how custody and release paperwork is processed and verified against court orders.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has been briefed on the incident, and prosecutors have indicated they will monitor the ongoing investigation. While Sage’s capture brings relief to some residents, the episode has underscored perceived gaps between different branches of the justice system and the potential toll on victims and their families.
