BROWNSVILLE, Tenn.—During a noon time press conference today, state officials provided an update on the manhunt being conducted for Fort Pillow prison inmate Curtis Watson and the murder of a prison executive. It seems likely Watson may have escaped hours before he was discovered missing.

The search continues and Watson has not been found. He is a suspect in the murder of Debra Johnson. Johnson’s body was found Wednesday in her home located on the campus of the prison. The 64-year-old victim was a 38-year veteran of the state’s prison system. Spokesman said she was well-known among staff members and many in the prison population, but they did not know if Johnson was acquainted with Watson.

Authorities haven’t said how long Watson may have been missing before officials knew he was gone.  But, according to a spokesman, Johnson was scheduled to meet with the prison warden at 8:30 a.m. and did not show up. Her body was found in her home about 11:30 a.m. An alert about the missing prisoner wasn’t issued to area law enforcement until 1:15 p.m.

How Johnson died is unclear. Authorities have not said if a weapon was involved.

A farm tractor officials believe Watson made his escape on was found two-and-a-half miles from the prison sometime after Johnson’s body was discovered.

Authorities say they have received a number of tips and are following up on all of them. Haywood County sheriff’s deputies answered several calls Wednesday night from residents who saw or heard something unusual—but there was no evidence they were related to Watson.

Watson was serving a lengthy sentence for kidnapping. He is from Henry County in northeast West Tennessee.

Authorities say Watson is considered to be extremely dangerous.