U.S. Marshals Arrest Fugitive Couple in Arizona Wanted for Hickory, NC Murder

Charlotte, NC – The U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF), in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals led Arizona WANTED Violent Offenders Task Force, today arrested in Phoenix two fugitives wanted in connection with the murder of a North Carolina woman in January.

Tangela Parker, 50, and Eric Parker, 62, had been on the run since Jan. 13 and were wanted in connection with the murder of Phelifia Marlow, who was shot and killed at TCS Designs, a furniture plant in Hickory, North Carolina. Witnesses say that the shooting death of Marlow occurred just a few days after a workplace dispute at TCS Designs.

The U.S. Marshals took a nationwide approach to the fugitive investigation, working over 30 leads stretching across eight states, using interstate billboards and media and public outreach.

The U.S. Marshals developed information that the Parkers were residing in the Phoenix area. Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force investigators traveled to Phoenix to coordinate and assist in the arrest of the Parkers with the Arizona WANTED Violent Offenders Task Force.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. July 13, members of the U.S. Marshals Service task force approached a residence at the intersection of W. Salter Drive and N. 31st Avenue in Phoenix and arrested the Parkers, who had been residing there under the alias names of Jason and Elizabeth Reardon. The Honda CRV they were known to drive was also located at the residence.

"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,” said U.S. Marshal David Gonzalez for the District of Arizona. “This case and arrests affirm the value of the U.S Marshals fugitive task forces throughout the country.”

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is composed of state and local law enforcement officers from North Carolina and South Carolina, who work directly in conjunction with Deputy U.S. Marshals in order to apprehend state and local violent offenders and sexual predators. The Charlotte Division of the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the Gaston County Police Department, Huntersville Police Department, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Police Department, Mooresville Police Department, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Pineville Police Department, Statesville Police Department and Union County Sheriff's Office.

The U.S Marshals Service led Arizona WANTED Violent Offenders Task Force is composed of U.S Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; Phoenix Police Department; Mesa Police Department; Glendale Police Department; Tempe Police Department; Chandler Police Department; Surprise Police Department; EL Mirage Police Department; Pinal County Sheriff’s Office; Maricopa County Adult Probation; and Arizona Department of Corrections.