Authorities Arrest Fugitive Couple Accused in Death of Woman's Estranged Husband

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - An Enid family's wait for two missing children is over. <br><br>U.S. Customs agents took Tricity and Parker Andrew into custody Thursday when they arrested their fugitive mother and

Friday, March 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - An Enid family's wait for two missing children is over.

U.S. Customs agents took Tricity and Parker Andrew into custody Thursday when they arrested their fugitive mother and her boyfriend in Hildalgo, Texas, as they crossed into the United States from Mexico.

Brenda Andrew, 38, and James D. Pavatt, 48, are charged in the death of Oklahoma City advertising executive Rob Andrew.

Late Thursday, Lou Andrew flew to Texas to take custody of her granddaughter Tricity, 11, and grandson Parker, 7. Lou Andrew, who spoke to the children earlier on Thursday, said the boy seemed especially upset.

â€œWe know that they have had a confusing time and they're upset,â€ said Lou Andrew, whose son, Rob, was killed. â€œWe love them very much and we know that our support and love for them will see them through. We're just going to have to take each day at a time and one step after another.â€

Rob Andrew died Nov. 20 when he was shot in the garage of his home. He and his wife had separated and Andrew was picking up the children for Thanksgiving.

Andrew had called police twice before with suspicions that someone was trying to kill him for $800,000 in insurance benefits.

Police issued warrants for Brenda Andrew and Pavatt after she and the children did not attend Rob Andrew's funeral.

Agents arrested Pavatt and Andrew just before noon after a check of their car's license plate showed they were wanted on a federal warrant for unlawful flight.

The Andrew children were found nearby in a van driven by Andrew's brother-in-law, James Bowlin of Enid. Bowlin has been released and was not charged, said Special Agent Gary Johnson, a spokesman for the FBI in Oklahoma City.

Johnson said Andrew and Pavatt immediately asked for an attorney and didn't say much else.

â€œFrom what I understand, they were fairly calm,â€ Johnson said. â€œJames Pavatt did mention the FBI wanted to talk to him.â€

Johnson said authorities don't know where they had been living since their November disappearance. If the two challenge extradition, it could take up to 40 days for their return, said Capt. Jessica Cummins, a spokeswoman for Oklahoma City police.

â€œIt's a good feeling,â€ said detective Roland Garrett, the lead investigator in the case. â€œJustice can be served.â€

Andrew's attorney, Gregory E. McCracken, said he believes his client was on her way to surrender to authorities when she was arrested.

â€œBrenda is adamant that she is not guilty of the death of her husband and is now and at all times vitally concerned about the welfare and best interests of the children,â€ McCracken said in a statement.

McCracken and his client are considering all options and avenues relating to Brenda Andrew's return to Oklahoma City - and to her defense, he said. A news conference will be scheduled when Brenda Andrew returns to Oklahoma City, he added.