ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Delisha Evans was dead before a multi-state pursuit of her ex-boyfriend ended in a rollover crash and gunfire in Affton, state police said Wednesday.
Before the Sept. 6 crash, police in Princeton, Texas, had put out a critical missing person alert for Evans, concerned for her safety after authorities responded to a fire at her home and the mother of two was nowhere to be found.
The Texas Department of Public Safety informed the Missouri State Highway Patrol that Evans' ex-boyfriend, Ryan Phillips, was heading to the St. Louis area in a red Range Rover and that Evans may be with him and in danger.
State troopers spotted the vehicle on Interstate 44, and a pursuit ended on South Rock Hill Road near Pardee Road in Affton, where the SUV overturned.
Troopers said Phillips raised a gun and pointed it at troopers, who fired their weapons and struck him. Whether Phillips fired any shots toward officers was still under investigation.
Evans and Phillips were both pronounced dead at the scene, but the timeline of Evans' death was initially uncertain. Though official autopsy results are still pending, troopers confirmed Wednesday that Evans was dead prior to the crash.
"I think my mom was dead Sept. 5, 2024, and was pronounced dead Sept. 6," said 12-year-old De'Mya Miller, who spoke with 5 On Your Side last week because she wanted to be a voice for her mother. "I think he killed her Thursday afternoon and he lied about it to my face, and I think he knew the entire time and I think he had a good opportunity to kill us. Thankfully, he didn't. He took somebody that I think I really need in my life."
Friends of Evans said she and Phillips — who were both originally from St. Louis — shared a complex and toxic past, and that he had previously threatened to kill her. The pair broke up in August.
Phillips previously pleaded guilty in 2018 for charges of shooting at two St. Louis police officers in October 2014. He was given a 10-year prison sentence.
A spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections said Phillips was released in September 2021. He was credited with 1,140 days of time served in jail before entering state prison.
The investigation is still ongoing. A final report will be released at a later date, state police said.
