DUI stop in California leads Phoenix police to dead body inside home

PHOENIX - A man is being considered a person of interest in his mother's death after the woman was found dead inside her Phoenix home early Monday.

Phoenix police Sgt. Trent Crump said the man was taken into custody in Riverside, Calif. around 11 p.m. Sunday for driving under the influence.

While being processed, the suspect reportedly made comments about the vehicle owner that "concerned" the officers, prompting a call to Phoenix police.

When Phoenix officers arrived at the woman's home near 53rd and Van Buren streets, they reportedly spotted blood on the front door and forced entry into the apartment.

Police found the victim, Danette M. Baxter, 46, dead inside, with obvious signs of trauma, indicating a homicide.

Neighbors told ABC15 they believed Baxter’s son was abusing her, but did not think he was capable of murder.

"Just the thought process of a child doing that to their mother is horrifying. It really is,” neighbor Sydney Swart said. “Also, it being so close to my home, personally, it does shock me, it really does.”

Officials told ABC15, the woman's son is not a suspect in the case but is considered a person of interest.

Phoenix detectives are currently in the Long Beach area following up.

Neighbors who knew Baxter’s son described him as an interesting character.

"I guess he got into some trouble in California where he was staying, so he came here. He's only been here for a couple months. Unfortunately, you could tell there was something bothering him. You just couldn't tell what it was,” Swart said.

"He would just keep his head down,” close neighbor Tara Wesley said. “Sometimes he would say 'hi', but other times he would give me a dirty look."