Derrick Groves Girlfriend Rumor: Did a Dispute Lead to His Capture?

Escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves was captured in Atlanta on Wednesday, October 8, after a dramatic five-month manhunt. Now, rumors are swirling that an argument with his girlfriend may have tipped off authorities — though officials have not confirmed the claim. The U.S. Marshals Service said a CrimeStoppers tip led them to the home where Groves was hiding, resulting in his arrest after a tense standoff.

Groves, who was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, had been on the run since May after escaping from the Orleans Parish Justice Center with nine other inmates. All ten have now been recaptured.

Dispute Rumor and How Police Tracked Groves Down

Speculation about a domestic dispute emerged after a neighbor in southwest Atlanta told reporters they heard Groves arguing with a woman early Wednesday morning, just hours before police surrounded the home. Social media users amplified the rumor, claiming the girlfriend “got mad and ratted him out.”

Despite the online chatter, law enforcement officials have not linked the CrimeStoppers tip to Groves’ girlfriend. Deputy U.S. Marshal Bryan Fair confirmed that officers surrounded the property on Honeysuckle Lane, used gas canisters and flash bangs, and eventually located Groves hiding in a crawl space in the basement. He was taken into custody without injury.

Authorities said the hiding space had been specially constructed to conceal Groves, and they are investigating whether anyone else assisted him during his time on the run. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill noted that those found to have helped Groves evade capture could face additional charges.

Darriana Burton, girlfriend of escaped inmate Derrick Groves, is accused of helping inmates after the Orleans Justice Center jailbreak. (Source: U.S. Marshals/Attorney General’s Office)

From Manhunt to Courtroom: Groves Waives Extradition

On Thursday, October 9, Groves appeared before a Fulton County magistrate judge. He waived extradition and told the court, “I want to return where I am from.” He will be transported back to Louisiana to face additional charges stemming from the jailbreak.

Groves was convicted in 2024 for a deadly Mardi Gras block party shooting that killed two people and was serving a life sentence when he escaped. He was the last of the 10 inmates captured following the May jailbreak, which involved the group squeezing through a hole behind a toilet.

The CrimeStoppers tip that led to his capture followed months of investigation by U.S. Marshals and local authorities. Officials emphasized the importance of public cooperation in high-profile fugitive cases like this one.

The Girlfriend’s Role and a Notorious Family History

Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton, is already in custody on felony conspiracy charges. Burton, a former Orleans Parish jail employee, is accused of helping Groves plan the escape by communicating with him through a jail-issued iPad before the May breakout.

Groves also has a notorious family history. He is the grandson of Kim Groves, a New Orleans woman whose 1994 murder — ordered by corrupt police officer Len Davis — remains one of the city’s most infamous crimes.

Authorities are now focused on determining who may have aided Groves during his five months on the run. Investigators have suggested additional arrests are likely as they piece together how he stayed hidden for so long.

Bottom line: While the “derrick groves girlfriend” rumor remains unverified, law enforcement credits a CrimeStoppers tip for ending one of Louisiana’s most high-profile manhunts. Groves’ capture marks the end of a five-month search, but investigations into those who may have helped him are far from over.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Did Derrick Groves’ girlfriend tip off police?

Authorities have not confirmed that Groves’ girlfriend tipped them off. A CrimeStoppers tip led police to his hiding place, and rumors about a domestic dispute remain unverified.

Q2: Where was Groves found?

He was discovered hiding in a crawl space beneath a home in southwest Atlanta. SWAT teams used gas canisters and flash bangs before capturing him without injury.

Q3: What happens next for Groves?

Groves waived extradition in court and will be returned to Louisiana. He faces additional charges related to the May jailbreak and may face new charges based on evidence from his capture.

Q4: What charges does his girlfriend face?

Darriana Burton is charged with felony conspiracy. Investigators allege she helped Groves escape by communicating with him via a jail-issued iPad.

Q5: What is Groves’ criminal background?

He was serving a life sentence for a 2018 Mardi Gras shooting that killed two people. Groves is also the grandson of Kim Groves, a victim in a notorious 1994 police corruption case.