Boyfriend accused of brutally murdering mom in front of young kids

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Bardo Bustos is in the Harris County Jail, charged in the gruesome death of his girlfriend, Feilisha Courtney-Barrios.

On July 5, around 7:30pm, law enforcement sources say Bustos and Courtney-Barrios had a fight. He grabbed an unknown tool from a kitchen drawer and stabbed her several times in the back. Then, officials say, Bustos threw his girlfriend over their second-story balcony, went downstairs and stomped on her head then tried to remove her teeth with pliers.

Neighbors called 911, and some even tried to intercept Bustos from further hurting Courtney-Barrios.

"I stopped him for as long as I could," said DJ Ballard. "I just can't see somebody doing that to somebody, with your bare hands."

Police arrived and Courtney-Barrios was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where she died.

Courtney-Barrios was a mother of four young children, ages 12, 9, 8 and 3. They witnessed the murder from inside the family apartment.

"The kids ran to my apartment screaming," said neighbor Nicole Ballard. "I hid the kids in my bathroom because I'm thinking, OK, once he finishes with her, he's going to come after the kids."

The victim's father, Bobby Courtney, told us Bustos never seemed violent or aggressive by nature in their six or eight months together. He spent the day with the couple and his grandchildren on July 5 before leaving for work.

"He treated (the children) like gold. They went on a bike ride, they went to the movies. Every time I saw them, they were having fun. I honestly thought he was a really good person for her," he said. "I'm out of tears, I'm out of rage. There's no justice that will bring my daughter back."

The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office list the cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries, blunt force head injuries and strangulation.

"It doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense what he did to her," said neighbor Ashli Schultz.

Bobby Courtney said he's spoken with Bustos' family on the phone.

"They were appalled," he said. "They were wanting to donate some money."

Bustos is being held without bond. He's currently charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but authorities say they plan to elevate the charge to murder.

The family is asking for help with funeral expenses. A fund has been set up through Brookside Funeral Home.