DNA leads police to April 2012 killing

AUSTIN (KXAN) - DNA evidence led police to a suspect in the April 8, 2012 death of a man in Northeast Austin, authorities said Thursday.

Earl Fansler, 46, was charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation of 43-year-old Phillip Yates.

Yates was found dead in his apartment at 6410 Chimney Creek Circle when officers were sent there to check on the man. No immediate cause of death was determined, police said in a statement. This week, the Travis County Medical Examiner said Yates' death was a homicide and he died from being strangled.

APD investigators examined DNA evidence inside the victim's home, in his stolen car, and on the clothing he was wearing when he was killed. They said all of the DNA matched Fansler.

"We're getting multiple stories from Mr. Fansler, so we're still trying to get to the bottom of exactly how they knew each other, how he got in to the house, but we feel confident that he was at the house at some point during the night of his murder," said APD homicide Sergeant Brian Miller. "The DNA found inside the residence helped us officially link it to him and really made this case."

Yates had lived in the East Austin townhome only a few months before he was discovered dead. He was active in the Kingdom Builders Bible Ministry in Round Rock, where he was the church secretary.

"Phillip was a joy," said Pastor Billy J. Ashley. "He was a pleasant person to be around. He loved the Lord. He loved people, then he loved animals."

Ashley and his wife Pamela said waiting to learn what happened to Yates has been difficult for family and friends.

"I think about Phillip almost everyday and I always thought about how this thing happened to him and no one knew what had happened, so now today I have joy in my heart knowing that they caught the person," said Pamela. "We'll always love Phillip. We'll always remember him because he was just really, really special and you just don't want people like that to leave. You want them to be around forever."

Fansler was in custody on Thursday with bond set at $300,000.

Police are still investigating and ask people with information to call 512-477-3588, or 512-472-8477. They can also text "Tip 103" = a message to CRIMES.