DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Regina Phillips’ family says she was the life of every party and was known for her glamorous style.
“Everybody knows Mama,” her daughter Jasmine Williams said. “ She was kind, she was beautiful.”
As a long-time Child Protective Services (CPS) worker, they say she was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need.
“She’ll give you the shoes off her feet,” Williams said.
But on Monday her daughter said her big heart was ripped from this world, by a man who was supposed to protect it.
“You said you loved her,” Williams said. “But you took her from us.”
On May 6, firefighters found Phillips dead with a gunshot wound to the head after responding to a fire at her condo. Duncanville police are now charging the man she was dating, 63-year-old James Rias, with murder.
“During our investigation, we found our officers had responded to the same location on Sunday, May 5th,” police said.
Court documents show officers were called out just before 1 p.m. on Sunday. They said the couple was going through a breakup and were arguing about who had to leave their shared home.
Phillips ultimately left.
Then, just before midnight, officers say surveillance video shows both Phillips and Rias returning home.
Police said about 45 minutes later, Rias leaves, and is recorded picking up gasoline and lighter from a gas station, then returning home. He's seen loading personal items into his truck, then he leaves again and comes back with another bottle full of liquid.
Then Monday around 6:03 a.m., court documents said he was seen leaving, followed by an explosion and flash of light from the condo.
Williams feels more should have been done to help her mom.
“Y’all be saying it’s cool to stay it the house just let the other person cool down. But she’s telling you he’s got a gun,” Williams said. “Why not make him leave? Why y'all didn't help us all?”
A motive is under investigation.
As a makeshift memorial grows in front of Phillips’ home, Williams and her family now have to plan a funeral.