Russian held on $1M bond in murder of ex-girlfriend

Bond has been set at $1 million for the Russian national arrested at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend.

In court records released Monday, police allege that Igor Zubko, 26, used a key he never returned to break into the home of 22-year-old Shayley Estes near 16th Street and Roeser Road in Phoenix. Zubko brought with him a handgun purchased Thursday through a private Internet sale, according to police.

Estes' family told The Republic that, just more than a week before her death, she had asked the property manager of the home she was renting to change the locks. The Scottsdale-based Colony American Homes confirmed Monday that it owns the property but declined to comment or release the name of the manager.

Estes had obtained an order of protection against Zubko earlier this month after their relationship had become strained, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a Phoenix police spokesman. Her roommate told police Estes had ended the relationship with Zubko in June but the two continued to argue over who should move out.

Court records show Zubko sent Estes' roommate this threatening text message after the order was served: "She will be brutally murdered from Russia with love."

Police believe Zubko broke into the house on Friday, drank beer, broke a TV and then waited for Estes to come home from work. An argument ensued upon her arrival, and gunshots followed. Estes' roommate found her dead on the kitchen floor with gunshots to her back, abdomen and arms, according to police accounts.

Witnesses reported seeing a man leaving the house in a new Ford Mustang shortly after shots were fired.

Police tracked Zubko to Sky Harbor, where he had purchased a one-way ticket to San Francisco leaving Friday night. Authorities arrested him at the airport at about 8:15 p.m.

He told police the shooting was an accident, court records show.

Family friends of Estes have set up a crowdfunding page to raise money to send Estes' body to Massachusetts, where she is from. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised about $4,400.

Rose Hazard, 13, and her mother, Kathy Stearns, said Estes had four brothers and was very cheerful person. "She really loved her family," Hazard said.