Authorities say a man has been arrested for killing his wife on Saturday.
A release from the Maricopa Police Department says officers received a report around 7 p.m. on December 10 of a man forcing a woman into a pickup truck at gunpoint near N. Loma Drive and W. McDavid Road.
Police located the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Miguel Figueroa, in the area of John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.
Figueroa's daughter told police her father called to say he killed her mother and left her in the desert. According to court paperwork, when police approached a home on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Miguel Figueroa was standing outside with a sword in his hand and blood on his clothes.
Authorities say Figueroa admitted to killing his wife and yelled at responding officers to kill him. Police say he dropped the sword and was taken into custody.
Investigators located the truck in the desert off of Loma Drive and Olivia Figueroa, Miguel's wife, was found dead with multiple wounds on her chest and arms.
Miguel Figueroa faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and misconduct involving weapons, according to court documents.
"Domestic violence is a continuing cause for concern within the City of Maricopa as well as throughout the country which will take everyone's awareness and assistance to eliminate," Maricopa Police Chief Steve Stahl said in a statement about the case. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to those that are affected by this tragic event which led to the loss of their loved one. I commend the first responding officers in their courage and restraint while taking Mr. Figueroa into custody without further loss of life."
