“Answered Prayers” | Murder suspect arrested after 8 years on the run
Isaac Estrada was wanted in connection with the death of his 22-year-old mother Courtney Phillips in 2015. His son learned the news that he would have turned 31.
SAN ANTONIO. A murder suspect on death row is behind bars after spending eight years on the run.
On Saturday, US marshals took the 26-year-old fugitive into custody at Eagle Pass. Isaac Estrada was wanted in connection with the death of 22-year-old Courtney Phillips in 2015.
On Monday evening, KENS 5 informed Phillips’ family that he would turn 31.
“Today is her birthday and we’re getting the news, it’s just an answer to a prayer,” said Rachel Baird.
Baird is a family friend who raised Phillips’ son. Jace was only 5 years old when his mother was killed.
“It was Easter Sunday when we got a call saying that she had gone to San Antonio with a friend and it happened,” Baird said. “She devastated us. Jace was destroyed by this; knowing that he would not be reunited with his mother.
Baird says that Phillips was on his way to meet Estrada at the house on the southeast side. It was there that the San Antonio police found his body. Authorities say she was stabbed to death.
Jace doesn’t just mourn, he lives in fear when his mother’s killer is on the loose.
“When he was younger, he didn’t know if anyone could hurt him,” Byrd said. “Now that he’s older, he’s just worried about other people. [Estrada] he was so young when he did it. In time we were so scared [authorities] they would not have the information they needed to search [Estrada]. People change their appearance over time. It varies a lot from 19 to 26 so we wondered if it would be found.
When Jace found out about Estrada’s arrest, it was a bittersweet moment.
“[I feel] okay,” he told KENS 5. “Emotionally.”
Baird remembers Phillips as a handsome and energetic man who yearned for a better life. He says his family will sleep better knowing Phillips’ alleged killer is in jail.
“We are ready for him to be held accountable for his actions,” Baird said.
According to the US Marshals Service, many tips have been received and awards given over the years. It is not clear how Estrada managed to evade law enforcement for so long.
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