Colorado Springs, CO: Neighbor: Suspect in murder case acted strange, disappeared

JAKOB RODGERS
2010-08-14 16:20:03
A man jailed in the killing of a Colorado Springs woman behaved strangely in the days before her body was discovered last week, a friend of the victim said Saturday.

“He just all of a sudden started acting funny,” said Sonya Briscoe.

Ishmael Shelton. 30, was arrested Friday afternoon by police in Vivian, La. on a first-degree murder warrant in the killing of 27-year-old Rebecca Schilthuis. The woman was found stabbed to death Wednesday in her apartment after a relative called police to report she was missing.

Sonya Briscoe, 28, said she was best friends with Schilthuis and considered Shelton to be her “cousin,” as their families have long been close.

She last talked to Schilthuis early Monday morning when she gave her a ride from her job at Wendy’s. Back at the apartment, she said good night and “I love you.”

Briscoe said Shelton jammed the door with his foot when she tried to entering the apartment later Monday morning, and relented only when she forced her way inside. She peeked into Schilthuis’ bedroom and saw the woman on a bed in the dark, apparently sleeping.

That night, Shelton asked if Briscoe would walk with him while he withdrew money using Schilthuis’ ATM card, she said. Halfway across the parking lot, though, he stopped, turned around and said he’d hold off.

“He wasn’t himself,” Briscoe said.

Two days later, Colorado Springs police issued a warrant for Shelton’s arrest in connection with Schilthuis’ killing. He was arrested on the warrant Friday after he was pulled over in Louisana, said Colorado Springs police Sgt. David Edmondson.

“As far as timing goes, it was pretty miraculous,” Edmondson said. “I figured it up to Friday the 13th — bad luck for him, good luck for us.”

Shelton was on parole after serving several years in prison, most recently for escape.

According to Colorado court records Shelton’s criminal convictions include robbery, domestic violence, drug and assault charges.

At the apartments where Schilthuis died, a growing memorial in the front yard included red, blue and yellow flowers and a giant poster of her smiling face.

Briscoe said Schilthuis was trying to overcome a troubled past.

“She pretty much just did what she needed to do,” Briscoe said. “She was a beautiful person.”

After word of his arrest, Briscoe said her feelings toward Shelton are more complex.

“I love him because he’s my family but I hate him for the monster that he’s become,” Briscoe said.