Phoenix man faces murder charge in mother's death

PHOENIX - Authorities say a Phoenix man is being held in California in connection with the stabbing death of his mother.

Phoenix police say 21-year-old Zachary Baxter is awaiting extradition to Arizona from Long Beach, California.

A court warrant was issued Friday charging him with first-degree murder after 46-year-old Danette M. Baxter was found dead in her apartment on June 10.

Police say she died from multiple stab wounds.

That same night, California Highway Patrol pulled over Zachary Baxter in downtown Long Beach for driving with his headlights off.

Baxter allegedly told the arresting officer that his mother was dead at home and Long Beach police contacted Phoenix police.

Phoenix homicide detectives flew to Long Beach to interview the suspect and process evidence. That led to the court warrant and charges filed.

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.”

"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."