The woman was entered into state and national databases as a missing person Friday morning after Princeton police and fire were dispatched to her home for a fire.
PRINCETON, Texas — Editor’s note: The video published above is a report from WFAA’s sister station in St. Louis, KSDK.
A North Texas woman whose Princeton home burned in a fire on Friday morning was later found dead in a car in Missouri after state troopers were led on a chase by a man believed to be a suspect in the woman’s disappearance.
Princeton police and fire responded to a structure fire at approximately 7:30 a.m. Friday in the 3000 block of Winding Meadow Trail. During the fire, police were told by the family of Delisha Evans, who lived at the home, that she was missing. Officers entered Evans into the state and national databases as a missing person, police said .
Based on the information given to police by Evans’ family, they believed her to be “in imminent danger” and there was “a serious concern for her safety,” according to the department’s initial press release.
In an update later Friday night, Princeton police said further investigation led officers to believe Ryan Phillips was the primary suspect. Due to the critical missing person broadcast and license plate readers, Missouri state troopers located the vehicle driven by Phillips in Saint Louis County on Friday, Princeton police said in a release.
The Missouri state troopers attempted to stop Phillips’ vehicle, but he fled and led them on a chase. During the pursuit, the vehicle crashed and gunshots were exchanged between Phillips and the troopers, Princeton police said.
Phillips died at the scene, according to police.
The troopers then found Evans dead inside the vehicle, Princeton police said.
Missouri Highway Patrol is working with both the Princeton Police Department and Texas Rangers on this investigation.
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