SAN ANTONIO — A murder suspect on the run for six months is now in custody after law enforcement arrested her in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the Bandera County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook.
Freda Thomas was wanted for the killing of 88-year-old Bandera man Robert Isaacks last fall, who disappeared on Nov. 15 before his body was found in a neighboring county two days later. News of Thomas' arrest comes after authorities erroneously said in March that she had been arrested in Mexico.
She's expected to be brought back to Texas to face murder charges.
According to officials, Isaacks was living with his daughter, Karen Chovanec, when he disappeared. Footage from Chovanec's Ring camera video showed him entering their home with a woman, later identified as Thomas, before Thomas is seen leaving alone through the back a few hours later.
A warrant was issued for Thomas, wanted for murder. Arrest documents reveal Isaacks was strangled to death before his body was found a few counties over, wrapped in a tarp that was duct-taped shut.
"It's senseless," Chovanec said. "There's no reason to kill an 88-year-old man."
That arrest affidavit written by a Bandera County Sheriff's Office investigator says Chovanec reported about $25,000 in cash was "missing from a safe in the house" and that "blood droplets" were found by law enforcement in multiple places. Additionally, cell phone records showed Isaacks and Thomas were in contact for more than a week before she allegedly killed him.
When authorities went to an area of town where Thomas was believed to have been living in a tent, they found a jacket with "possible blood stains" that Chovanec later identified as belonging to her father. A witness in the area told investigators that a woman matching Thomas' description had recently been seen driving away in a jeep with a "black tarp covering what was being hauled on the rack."
That jeep was eventually found in Las Vegas in December. But there was no sign of Thomas.
Family relieved after news of arrest
On Monday, Chovanec spoke with KENS 5 after learning her father's accused killer had been captured.
“I figured it was a matter of time before she, you know, slipped up," Chovanec said.
Chovanec said she had a feeling all along Thomas was in Oklahoma. She added that she is still living in the home where said he was killed. With this arrest, she is hoping she can start to heal.
“I’ve had nightmares and no sleeping and everything," Chovanec said.
Chovanec said she heard rumors about the arrest Monday but made sure to call the detectives herself. She said they told her they received a tip that she had been staying in a home in Oklahoma. She said the U.S. Marshals waited outside the home until she came out.
“Well I hope she’s ready to do some time," Chovenec said. "She’ll have time to reflect while she’s, you know, locked up.”
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