Phoebe Copas, the Kentucky woman accused of fatally shooting Uber driver Daniel Piedra Garcia in June 2023, has died, her former defense attorney confirmed.
Attorney Matthew Kozik stated that the El Paso District Attorney’s Office informed him of Copas’ death, which occurred in the past 24 hours, according to El Paso Times.
Authorities have not disclosed further details, but El Paso police are investigating a death at the Wyndham Hotel on Airway Blvd. It remains unclear if Copas’ death is connected to that investigation.
Copas had been out on bail while awaiting murder trial.
She claimed she feared Piedra Garcia was kidnapping her and taking her to Mexico when she shot him. However, prosecutors disputed that claim.
Kozik defended Copas in a statement, asserting that newly uncovered evidence suggested Piedra Garcia allegedly told Copas he was driving her to Juarez and that her attempts to exit the vehicle were unsuccessful due to inoperable locks and windows.
He also stated that law enforcement misrepresented key facts about the case to the public.
Police have not released further information about Copas’ death.
