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PD: Woman found dead at Phoenix barbershop; served suspect with order of protection 2 months ago

Posted at 12:24 PM, Jun 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-23 15:24:19-04

A man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing and killing his ex-girlfriend, in her west Phoenix barber shop.

Court records released today, show that the victim's ex-boyfriend, recently served with an order of protection, allegedly entered the victim's barber shop, stabbed and killed her, leaving in her car.

Police report the murder happened at the Super Imagen Beauty and Barber Shop located at Camelback Road and 35th Avenue on June 17.

A witness in one of the neighboring business discovered the shop door open when the business was supposed to be closed just after 10 a.m. That person discovered the body of Maria Rivera, 48, and called 911.

That witness told police, they saw her ex-boyfriend, Jose Rubio Figueroa, 52, exit the shop, get into the Rivera's car and leave. The witness thought it was odd to see Figueroa there, since Rivera served him with an order of protection just two months ago.

Soon after officers arrived, they received a 911 call from Figueroa who was at Cielito Park, two blocks south of the barbershop. Police say Figueroa told them he was injured and admitted to being at the shop. Police found Figueroa and the car at the park.

The knife was found in an alley near behind the barbershop. 

Figueroa reportedly told police that he was invited to the shop by Rivera, where they argued over a $25 IRS check Rivera received. Figueroa told police, it was Rivera who attacked him with the knife, and he grabbed the knife trying to disarm her when she stabbed herself in the neck and chest.

Police say that they also received information from Figueroa's sister-in-law saying that Figueroa contacted her and admitted to stabbing Rivera after an argument.

Figueroa is being held on $1 million bond and is facing charges of 1st degree murder.