Fugitive couple wanted for murder was using fake names in Arizona till feds tracked them down

A couple who has spent months on the run after being named as murder suspects was using fake names to try and avoid capture.

But that ended this week.

The duo was accused in connection with a murder in North Carolina that happened on Jan. 13. The suspects were on the run until they were taken into custody in Arizona on July 13, exactly six months after the murder.

Tangela Parker, 50, and Eric Parker, 62, were wanted in connection with the murder of Phelifia “Michelle” Marlow, 51, who was shot and killed at TCS Designs, a furniture plant in Hickory, North Carolina.

Witnesses say that the shooting death occurred just a few days after a workplace dispute at TCS designs.

Marlow was found at the furniture plant suffering from gunshot wounds, according to WSOC-TV. She was rushed to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where she later died.

The U.S. Marshals went nationwide with their search for the Parkers, working over 30 leads stretching across eight states, using interstate billboards, media and public outreach, according to federal officials.

The U.S. Marshals got a lead that the Parkers were residing in the Phoenix area.

Around 12:30 p.m. July 13, authorities arrested the Parkers, who had allegedly been residing in Arizona under the alias names of Jason and Elizabeth Reardon, according to the U.S.Marshals.

The Honda CRV they used was also found at the residence.

Federal Marshals say the couple was very resilient, even panhandling and begging for money after leaving North Carolina, according to WSOC-TV.

Tangela and Eric Parker allegedly lived in their car for 11 weeks. They took odd jobs, including working at a ranch, to survive, WSOC-TV reported.

They changed the license plate on their Honda and had found a room on Craigslist, which they were renting at the time of their arrest, according to WSOC-TV.

“Today marks six months since the tragic murder of Phelifia Marlow,” said Chris Edge, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina. “I hope on this day, Phelifia’s family may find closure in knowing the Parkers have been apprehended and will finally answer for their crimes against a beloved North Carolinian.”

“The arrests of Tangela and Eric Parker in the Phoenix metropolitan area was the direct result of excellent cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies,” U.S. Marshal David Gonzalez for the District of Arizona said. “This case and arrests affirm the value of the U.S Marshals fugitive task forces throughout the country.”