“Answered Prayers” | Murder suspect arrested after 8 years on the run

SAN ANTONIO. A murder suspect on death row is behind bars after spending eight years on the run.

On Saturday, US marshals took into custody a 26-year-old fugitive in Eagle Pass. Isaac Estrada is wanted for the death of 22-year-old Courtney Phillips in 2015.

Monday night, KENS 5 broke the news to the Phillips family on the day she would have turned 31.

“Given that today is her birthday and we get the news, this is just the answer to our prayers,” said Rachel Baird.

Byrd is a family friend who is raising Phillips’ son. Jace was only 5 years old when his mother was killed.

“It was Easter Sunday when we got a call saying she went to San Antonio with a friend and it happened,” Baird said. “It devastated us. Jace was destroyed by this; knowing he won’t be reunited with his mom.”

Byrd says Phillips was on her way to meet Estrada at the house on the southeast side. It was there that the San Antonio police found her body. Authorities say she was stabbed to death.

Jace not only mourns, he lives in fear when his mother’s killer is on the loose.

“When he was younger, he didn’t know someone was going to hurt him,” Byrd said. “Now that he’s older, he’s just worried about other people. [Estrada] was so young when he did it. Time went by, we were so afraid [authorities] weren’t going to have the information they needed to find [Estrada]. People change their appearance over time. You change a lot from 19 to 26, so we wondered if he 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. She says her family will rest easy knowing Phillips’ alleged killer is in jail.

“We are just ready for him to be held accountable for his actions,” Baird said.

According to the US Marshals Service, many tips have been received and rewards offered over the years. It is not clear how Estrada hid from law enforcement for so long.