Randy Bishop accused of killing Anthony Faircloth, charged with second-degree murder in El Paso County
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Randy Bishop, who made headlines by evading capture multiple times beginning in November before finally being captured in late January, has been connected to the previously unsolved November homicide of Thomas Faircloth.
Now, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office says that Bishop, 35, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Faircloth, 27. Bishop was already in custody at the El Paso County Jail at the time of his arrest for the crime.
Faircloth -- who, according to relatives, was known by his middle name of Anthony -- was found dead Nov. 2 in a vacant lot near the intersection of Galley Road and Powers Boulevard.
Several homeless camps are in that area, and Faircloth is believed to have been homeless at the time.
Faircloth's mother, Kellie Faircloth Chelette, and stepfather, Rob Chelette, live in North Carolina and spoke with KRDO NewsChannel 13 in an online interview Tuesday night.
"He had his own way of doing things," Rob Chelette said. "He wanted to be an artist and a musician." Chelette held up a self portrait of Faircloth at age 13.
"We just found some artwork with an Easter theme that he drew many years ago," Faircloth Chelette said. "I'm relieved they arrested someone but am still very heartbroken. He has a six-year-old son here."
Faircloth's manner and cause of death, and the motive behind it, are not being released because the investigation is ongoing.
"We want to protect the integrity of the investigation," said Detective Lisa Montville, of the county's major crimes unit. "We continue to investigate in anticipation of of possibly one more arrest in the case."
Bishop faces numerous charges, including attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, first-degree assault and escape. He also was sought on suspicion of robbery, domestic violence, kidnapping and child abuse.
Authorities accuse Bishop of leading them on two car chases and struggling with a detective at a local hospital, taking and firing the detective's gun before fleeing in a stolen car.
The Sheriff's Office cited anonymous tips from the public ,and a reward for information lading to an arrest, as contributing factors in connecting Bishop with the murder.
Faircloth's family said he moved from North Carolina to Colorado Springs in 2015 to reconnect with his biological father. He was cremated and his ashes were placed inside his guitar.
More on the Anthony Faircloth murder investigation:
Authorities increase reward offer to $6K for information on Thomas Faircloth murder
27-year-old’s death near Galley and Powers now being investigated as homicide
Suspicious death in Cimarron Hills area under investigation
More on suspect Randy Bishop:
Police confirm Randy Bishop is in custody
Police: Younger brother helped Randy Bishop hide for 2 months
Police seek wanted fugitive after he escaped custody at Memorial Hospital
Sheriff’s Office identifies suspect that shot and injured CSPD officer during traffic stop
