A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder was successfully apprehended at a hotel in Kannapolis, North Carolina, early Friday morning, three days after his daring escape during a medical appointment. Authorities have revealed that the escapee, Ramone Alston, 30, received help from at least one person.

Alston managed to escape from a van on Tuesday while being transported to the UNC Gastroenterology hospital in Hillsborough for a scheduled medical appointment. Freed from his leg restraints, he made a daring escape into the nearby woods while still wearing handcuffs, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Following an intensive manhunt, Alston was taken into custody around 2 am at a hotel in Kannapolis, near Charlotte, approximately 110 miles southwest of Hillsborough. The arrest was conducted without any injuries, and authorities confirmed that Alston will face charges of felony escape from prison.

In a news conference held on Friday afternoon, Todd Ishee, the Department Secretary, confirmed that Alston would be transferred to the high-security maximum control unit at Granville Correctional Institution to continue serving his life sentence. Ishee also mentioned that Alston could potentially face additional charges relating to his escape.

Online court records currently do not provide details about any assigned attorney for Alston's case. Ishee applauded the exceptional investigative work and commitment of the team involved in locating Alston, though specific details about the capture remain undisclosed.

Ishee expressed gratitude towards the law enforcement officers and officials involved in the search, alongside hundreds of officers, deputies, agents, and investigators who contributed to bringing Alston back into custody. The Department Secretary also mentioned that an internal investigation and review would be conducted to identify areas for improvement.

Regarding the officers who were responsible for transporting Alston, Ishee clarified that they have not been placed on leave but have been reassigned to non-transportation duties. The department will assess whether any individuals are eligible for the reward offered for information leading to Alston's capture.

Alston has been serving a life sentence at Bertie Correctional Institution in Windsor since his conviction for the murder of one-year-old Maleah Williams, who tragically lost her life on Christmas Day in 2015. The little girl was shot from a passing car while playing outside her family's apartment in Chapel Hill and succumbed to her injuries three days later.

In connection to Alston's escape, a woman described as an acquaintance was arrested in Alamance County, facing charges of felony aiding and abetting a fugitive. The Department revealed that investigators believe she provided transportation for Alston, but the exact details of when and where remain unknown. Authorities are currently investigating if anyone else was involved in the escape.

As the case continues to unfold, both the public and law enforcement agencies are left with questions surrounding the nature of Alston's assisted escape and the potential ramifications for those involved.