Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, she always hoped to work in a hospital. Being the daughter of Frank Tancredi, Governor of Illinois, afforded her many opportunities she may not have had otherwise. She made the most of her situation, graduating with a medical degree from Northwestern University. However, after achieving some of her goals, Sara’s career was derailed by her addiction to morphine.

After various relapses requiring her father’s influence to cover, Sara was finally able to get clean by attending group meetings of Narcotics Anonymous. Feeling the need to “give back” she decided the path of a being traditional doctor would no longer give her the sense of fulfillment she desired.  She then sought out the vacant position as primary doctor for Fox River Penitentiary’s medical unit.

As one of the few doctors on staff at Fox River, Sara was responsible for everything from administering physicals to performing emergency surgery. Despite her history of drug abuse, no one would have predicted that Sara would ever engage in further criminal activity. However, following the escape of the Fox River Eight., authorities discovered that the infirmary door was left unlocked, thereby allowing the inmates access to an easy escape route from the prison. Sara became a prime suspect as an accomplice in the escape when it was determined that she intentionally left the door unlocked.

When Chicago PD arrived at her apartment to question her, they found her in a coma, having overdosed from morphine. However, Sara recuperated fairly quickly and was taken into custody for questioning. Governor Tancredi posted her bail, but was later found dead in his residence from apparent suicide.

During Sara’s hearing to answer the charges against her, Agent Paul Kellerman’s testimony blew the entire case against Sara (and Lincoln Burrow) out of the water when he admitted that he had been involved in a larger conspiracy involving the President of the US. All charges against Sara were dropped.

Her current whereabouts are unknown, but it is believed that she traveled to Panama in search of Michael Scofield.