Collin County, TX — A man suspected in the disappearance of a Collin County woman was killed in a shootout with Missouri state troopers on Friday, and the missing woman was later found dead in the suspect’s vehicle, according to authorities.
The incident began early Friday morning when Princeton police and fire departments responded to a house fire on Winding Meadow Trail at approximately 7:30 a.m. Relatives informed police that Delisha Evans, a resident of the home, was missing and believed to be in imminent danger, Princeton police said in a statement.
Investigators quickly identified Ryan Phillips as the primary suspect in Evans’ disappearance. Working alongside the Texas Rangers, police tracked Phillips’ vehicle to Missouri using a critical missing person broadcast and license plate readers.
Missouri state troopers located Phillips’ vehicle near the St. Louis area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Phillips refused to stop, prompting a high-speed chase. The pursuit ended when Phillips’ vehicle crashed, leading to a gunfight between him and the troopers. Phillips was struck during the exchange and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tragically, when officers searched the vehicle, they discovered Evans’ body inside. The circumstances of her death are still under investigation, and it remains unclear how she was killed or whether the house fire is related to her disappearance or death.
The Missouri Highway Patrol, Princeton Police Department, and Texas Rangers are conducting a joint investigation into the incident. Further details will be released as the investigation continues.
