AFFTON, Mo. — A tragic end unfolded in south St. Louis County when a man and a woman died following a police pursuit of their SUV, which had traveled from Texas. The incident occurred on Friday evening, igniting tensions and sorrow in the community.
Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the deceased as Delisha Evans, 30, and Ryan Phillips, 33, both hailing from St. Louis but currently residing in Texas. The pursuit began after authorities in Princeton, Texas issued a critical missing person alert for Evans, whose safety was feared for following a house fire from which she was missing.
Subsequent reports by Texas authorities warned that Phillips might be en route to Missouri, potentially endangering Evans, who was believed to be accompanying him in a red Range Rover. When Missouri State Highway Patrol spotted the vehicle on Interstate 44, it led to a high-speed chase that culminated on South Rock Hill Road near Pardee Road after the SUV overturned.
In a dramatic and harrowing scene captured by local resident Kyle Moder, law enforcement approached the scene with shields. Shots were fired post-crash by one trooper; however, it hasn’t been clarified whether Phillips and Evans were armed during the incident. A firearm was found near the wreckage.
Officials have yet to release detailed causes of death for either individual, pending further investigation and autopsy results. This incident has particularly shocked the community, given the criminal past of Phillips, who was on probation at the time following his earlier conviction for shooting at city police officers.
Salomi Momoh, a friend of Evans, revealed to reporters the turbulent and often violent nature of the relationship between Evans and Phillips, which had ended months prior to the fatal incident. Momoh’s unsettling accounts included threats made by Phillips towards Evans, raising alarming indicators of domestic violence.
Evans, remembered fondly as a devoted mother and businesswoman, left behind two daughters aged 13 and 4. The community is mourning her loss deeply, with recollections of her vibrant presence and unyielding affection for her children.
In remembrance of Evans and other victims of domestic violence, Saint Martha’s, a ministry of Catholic Charities, announced the inclusion of her name in their memorial garden. This garden is part of a broader initiative to combat and raise awareness about domestic violence, representing a sanctuary where the victims’ lives are honored and remembered.
This tragedy also spurred a broader conversation about the importance of community and familial support systems in cases of domestic abuse. Resources and hotlines have been circulated more prominently in light of this event, urging those in similar circumstances to seek help before a situation escalates to a tragic end.
Community support for Evans’ family is evident, as locals have begun fundraising efforts to support her daughters who are now in the care of their father. The loss of their mother and their home in the fire has rallied the community to provide all possible assistance during this heartbreaking time.
For those looking for support or ways to help, local organizations like Saint Martha’s and Safe Connections are actively providing resources and assistance to those affected by domestic violence, underscoring the critical need for community support in these distressing situations.