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Old Time Crime: Chandler mom ambushed, murdered in her front yard

Posted at 9:43 AM, Jun 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-25 12:43:18-04

A Chandler mother was ambushed and killed in her own front yard in an unsolved murder case from 1998.

It was 4:30 in the morning on June 26, 1998, when Debra Murray left to go to work for her shift as a manager at Jack in the Box.

An unknown person ambushed Debra in her front yard, shooting the 38-year-old multiple times in her upper body.

The shots were heard by the nanny and Debra's 12-year-old son who contacted police. Debra was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chandler Fire Department.

Chandler police scoured the home near Alma School and Elliot roads and found clues indicating that someone forced themselves into the garage. Items from the garage were reportedly placed in the driveway.

Detectives would later say that they believe the burglary of the garage was staged as a ruse to cover up the real motive for the murder. 

Neighbors and friends were upset and confused over the killing. With everyone asking the same questions: who and why?

Today, 19 years later, no one has been arrested, although Chandler police say Debra's husband remains a suspect in this case.

A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.