PRINCETON, Texas — Sunday evening, dozens of people gathered in Princeton to remember Delisha Evans, who was 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 first responded to a structure fire at her home on Winding Meadow Trail. During the fire, police were told by the family of 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. Evans' friends identified Phillips as her on and off again boyfriend, who they say she had recently broken up with. Due to the critical missing person broadcast and license plate readers, Missouri state troopers located the vehicle driven by Phillips in St. 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.
At the balloon release Sunday, three of Evans' dearest friends told WFAA they are heartbroken.
"She was the best person to be around," her friend Mikaila Newton told WFAA.
"One of the most genuine people I’ve ever met," her friend Salomi Momoh added.
"She was intentional," Momoh continued. "And you know when DeDe smiled, she had this, it was so childish because it was so genuine."
Evans was only 30 years old, her friends said. She leaves behind two young daughters.
"She did everything for them kids," her friend Irica Jackson cried. "I don’t care what I have to do, I want to be there for those girls for the rest of their lives. Because DeDe was just that person, she would do it for mine. I know she would."
Delisha's friends and family have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to support her two daughters. You can access that page here.
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