Cold cases: unsolved murders in Phoenix

Read the stories of some of the victims whose stories are now cold cases in Phoenix. Do you have any information on what happened to any of these individuals? Contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Isaac Thomas, 26 – July 23, 2016 – Thomas was shot in the area of 19th Avenue and Thomas Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
David Van Pay, 40 – May 2, 2014 – Van Pay was found dead with a gunshot wound inside his home near 18th Avenue and Camelback Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Emmett Velten, 69 – April 24, 2011 – Velten was seen on video entered his condo near Central Avenue and Oak Street with another man police believe is the suspect. Three hours later, he was found with a severe head injury in a hallway. He managed to give police a brief suspect description before he died. The suspect was also captured on video leaving the building and getting in Velten’s vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered near 35th Avenue and West Glendale. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Brianna Wells, 17 – Dec. 29, 2014 – Wells was found dead in an alley near 16th Street and Roeser Road. She was the obvious victim of a homicide. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Henok Woldu, 26 – Dec. 24, 2015 – Woldu was found dead in his vehicle near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road. Witnesses say two men and a woman were seen getting into an SUV after hearing shots fired. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Krystal Annette White, 55 – April 19, 2016 – White was found dead on the side of the road near 32nd Place and Van Buren Street. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Floyd Anthony Jerome Wimbush, 33 – Oct. 29, 2016 – A suspect shot three people at The Break Room near 48th Street and McDowell Road. One of the victims, Wimbush, was killed. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Paul Uriarte, 28 – July 20, 2007 – Uriarte was in a parking lot near 32nd Street and Thomas Road arguing with an unknown black man. Minutes later, witnesses heard gunshots and he was later found dead. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Arron White, 21 – Nov. 6, 2016 – White was found dead with several gunshots near 36th Street and Van Buren. Police responded to the area for a call of shots fired and found him dead. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Cesar Vega, 25 – Dec. 10, 2015 – Vega and another man were shot in the south parking lot of Essex Gentleman’s Club near 43rd Avenue and Indian School Road. The other victim survived, but was critically injured. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Lachelle Waite, 18 – Jan. 16, 1986 –Waite was found dead in her home near 59th Avenue and Osborn Road. Some of her belongings appeared to have been stolen. She may also have known the suspect. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Ramiro Valerio, 23 – July 5, 2013 – Valerio was killed when an unknown person shot at a vehicle he was in. Witnesses in the vehicle say the suspect car appeared to be a dirty green Jetta, Audi or Acura. The suspected shooter was the passenger in the suspect vehicle. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Randal Wood, 45 – April 15, 2011 – Wood was found in the roadway near 24th Avenue and Van Buren Street. He was a known transient in the area. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Richard Tincher, 24 – June 18, 2015 – Tincher was shot during an argument with two other unknown men near 27th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The argument may have been over a stolen cell phone. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Joseph Troogstad, 26 – July 28, 2011 – Troogstad was shot in the area of 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. A group of young black men were seen hanging out in the area before the shooting. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Shenika Patrice Watson, 23 – Jan. 12, 2010 – Watson’s body was found in the parking lot of the Arizona Korean Presbyterian Church near 64th Avenue and Indian School Road. She had apparently left her home with a friend just before her disappearance. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Andre Wilkes, 28 – Dec. 8, 2013 – Wilkes was shot in the driveway of a home near 12th Street and Bell Road. He ran out to the roadway where he collapsed. He was taken to the hospital where he died. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Eldon Turk, 52 – Jan. 16, 1982 – Turk was found dead in an alley near 15th Street and Thomas Road. He was at the Favorite Lounge Bar the night before with his son and a friend, but was seen talking to a young woman that he may have left with. The woman, the person of interest, has not been located. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Larry Westbrook, 30 – Jan. 10, 2015 – Westbrook was shot at the Coconut Grove Apartments near 20th Avenue and Indian School Road. Several men were seen running from the area after shots were fired. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Eugene Wiggins, 37 – May 2, 1986 –Wiggins was stabbed to death by someone who went by the name of “Richard” or “David Macklin” near 12th Avenue and Jefferson Street. The incident occurred in a van parked outside the homeless shelter. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Demetrius Thomas, 42 – March 30, 2012 – Thomas was found shot dead in a parking lot near the I-17 and Ocotillo Road. Witnesses say vehicles were seen leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Aaron Taylor, 36 – Dec. 25, 2007 – Taylor was found with severe burn injuries outside of a Subway restaurant near Cactus Road and Tatum. It’s believed he was intentionally set on fire after hanging out with a group of males in their late teens that he may have previously known. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Christepher Spivey, 16 – July 2, 2009 – Spivey and his friend were near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road when they were confronted by unknown suspects. He was found dead nearby later that morning. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Dalia Soto, 46 – Jan. 8, 2015 – Soto was found dead in her Cotton Center townhome near 46th Stret and Broadway Road. Four men are the people last known to be seen with her. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Norris “Landan” Stewart, 24 – May 28, 2013 – Stewart was found dead in the driver’s seat of his car near 20th Place and Broadway Road. Two of his kids were in the backseat of the vehicle unarmed. Witnesses heard gunfire and saw the victim crash his car into a home’s fence in the area. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Richard Tapia, 27 – Jan. 15, 1999 – Tapia was shot and killed near 48th Street and Ray Road. Tapia and a roommate were locking up their apartment at the time while their other roommate waited in their truck. The roommate in the vehicle heard gunshots and saw the suspect but could not identify him. He then found Tapia on the ground. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Robert J. Smith Jr., 26 – April 16, 2016 – Smith was found lying in the middle of the street with several gunshot wounds in the area of 31st Avenue and Baseline Road. He died at the hospital days later. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jerry Steele – Oct. 28, 2009 – Steele was assaulted inside his apartment near Central Avenue and Thomas Road. He later died from his injuries. Witnesses saw two men running from the scene moments before he was found. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Micah Smith, 27 – July 4, 2016 – A large group of men, possibly Westside City gang members got in an argument between apartments near 19th Avenue and Indian School Road. Shots were fired, including one that killed Smith. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Edward Sordilla, 59 – Dec. 11, 2007 – Sordilla was found stabbed to death in his home near 24th Street and Southern Avenue. A person of interest has been identified. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Christopher Smith, 51 – Dec. 18, 2010 – Smith was found shot to death in his vehicle near 18th Avenue and Tonto Street. Witnesses saw two to three men running from the vehicle after shots were fired. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
William Singer, 81, and Barbara Singer, 64 – July 2, 2014 – William and his wife Barbara were found dead in their home near 35th and Grovers avenues. They are believed to be the victims of homicide. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Tommy Similar, 41 – Dec. 27, 1992 – Similar was shot to death while working as a security guard at the Whole Life Center, now the Phoenix Rescue Mission. He had reportedly confronted someone outside of the center and when he asked him to leave, was shot and killed. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jaime Sapien, 39 – Sept. 29, 2002 – Sapien and his wife were stopped at 63rd and Campbell avenues when a suspect approached and started yelling in Spanish. The victim’s wife did not understand what they were saying and kept driving. One of the suspects fired a shot, hitting Sapien. He died at the hospital. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
David Santiago, 22 – Nov. 25, 2012 – Santiago was at a rave party near 23rd Avenue and Encanto Boulevard when he was kicked and punched by two separate suspects. He was expected to live, but died ten days later. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Xavier Sanchez, 32 – Aug. 21, 2010 – Suspects in a pickup truck arrived at the Arizona Motel near 26th Street and Van Buren, searched for the suspect and chased him while shooting him several times. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Alexcia Salsberry, 22 – Feb. 27, 2011 – Salsberry was shot and killed by someone who pulled up next to a vehicle she was in around 2 a.m. in a Discount Tire parking lot near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road. She was in the vehicle with her girlfriend at the time she was shot. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Carla Sanchez, 28 – March 24, 2008 – Sanchez was driving near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road when she was shot by someone in another car. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Maurice Sanders, 29 – Aug. 16, 2016 – Sanders was picking up friends and family near 51st and Southern avenues when a vehicle drove into a cul-de-sac and fired several shots. Sanders died from his injuries. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Mateo Sandoval, 29 – Sandoval and three friends were leaving the parking lot of Big Al’s Bar near Central Avenue and Buckeye Road when a fight broke out with another group. Shots were fired, killing Sandoval. More than 100 people were there at the time of the shooting. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Charles Saldate, 55 – June 1, 2007 – Saldate, a security guard at a Circle K store, was assaulted and had his gun stolen on March 23. Two suspects were seen leaving the scene. On June 1, Saldate was shot and killed shortly after arriving home from work. Police believe the two incidents may be related. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Mack Rue, 23 – Aug. 22, 2003 – Rue was shot and killed while driving westbound on the I-10 between 67th and 75th avenues. Two Hispanic men in a small white car are believed to have fired the deadly shot. Rue’s 3-year-old son was in the car at the time and was not hurt. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Michael Raper, 21 – Nov. 10, 1989 – Raper was shot to death and his body was found in a desert area near I-17 and Happy Valley Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Johnny Saenz, 48 – Oct. 1, 2007 – Saenz knocked on the door of a Phoenix Fire station near 7th Avenue and the I-17. He had been injured and needed help. He was taken to the hospital where he died. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Michael Ribar, 43 – Oct. 19, 2013 – Ribar was found dead in the roadway near 20th and Northern avenues. He had obvious signs of trauma on his body. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
John Richey, 27 – Jan. 6, 2016 – Richey was involved in a verbal altercation with a suspect and shots were exchanged. Both men were hit. Richey suffered fatal injuries. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Gabriel Rodriguez, 43 – Oct. 7, 2007 – Rodriguez was found unconscious in the roadway near 31st Avenue and Union Hills Drive. Officials say it’s believed that Rodriguez had been injured and was trying to stop suspects from stealing his vehicle. He died days later from his injuries. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jose Pedro Quintanilla – Oct. 28, 2006 – Quintanilla was shot near 67th Avenue and Buckeye Road by men who approached on foot and began shooting. Two other friends with Quintanilla were not injured. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Frank Perez, 43 – May 31, 2011 – Perez was found dead by landscapers behind a business near 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Billy Ray Price, 34 – April 14, 2008 – Price was found dead with gunshot wounds inside his car on the Greenway off-ramp from I-17. He had been shot while traveling northbound on the freeway. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Guadalupe N. Porras (Lupe), 27 – Sept. 22, 1985 – Porras was killed in the parking lot of a church around 2 a.m. in the area of 51st Avenue and Osborn Road. A Hispanic man who was in his 20s is suspected of the crime. He was driving a dark-colored, mid-sized, two-door, American-made vehicle. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Phillip Powell, 52 – Dec. 21, 2009 – Powell was found dead in his apartment near 36th Street and Thomas Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Fortino Perez “Tino”, 21 – July 31, 1999 – An unknown Hispanic man fired shots at the victim who was driving northbound in the area of 51st Avenue and McDowell Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jared Olson – April 28, 2006 – Olson was at a home near 35th and Northern avenues with two friends when at least two white men kicked in the door and fatally shot Olson. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Alton Eugene Oakland Jr., 53 – Feb. 2, 2012 – Oakland was found dead in a dumpster near 15th Avenue and Camelback Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Alonso Padres – Feb. 11, 2014 – Padres was found dead in a home garage near 59th Lane and Broadway Road. The suspects are believed to be three black men who were driving a silver 2008 Chevy Impala. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Alex Talabera, 19, and Mark Ortiz, 20 – Feb. 27, 2005 – The victims were driving northbound on 4th Avenue near Alta Vista when another vehicle came up on their side and someone inside began firing shots at them. Both men were hit and died at the scene. A third passenger who was with the victims was not injured. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Carlos Paynter, 16 – Oct. 2, 1994 – Paynter was shot and killed while standing in front of a home near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road. The shooting was a drive-by carried out by unknown suspects. Two vehicles, a white truck and an older-model Chevy Impala were seen in the area before the shooting. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jesus (Jesse) Olivas, 22 – Jan. 1, 2016 – Olivas was walking northbound on 58th Drive when a man in a vehicle drove up and shot him multiple times. The suspect vehicle is only described as a grey four-door vehicle. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Vanessa Olmoz, 24 – Jan. 15, 2008 – Officers responding to a call of a fight found Olmoz who had been shot. She was taken to the hospital where she died. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Teodoro Ortega, 24 – Ortega’s body was found in a dumpster that had been set on fire near 41stAvenue and West Colter Avenue. He was involved in a fight the night before when two men forced him into a Silver Dodge Durango at gunpoint and drove away from the area of 40th Avenue and West Sherman Street. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Tyrell Patterson, 26 – Feb. 27, 2010 – Patterson was found shot to death in his black Chevy Impala at the intersection of 43rd and Dunlap avenues. He was last seen at Marc’s Bar. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Danny Nicklas, 27 – June 19, 2015 – Nicklas was involved in an argument with three or four Hispanic men at Cortez Park when he was shot. Police believe he may have gone to the park to sell CDs or a cell phone. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Donna Nez “Shorty”— April 18, 2014 -- Nez was shot by someone shortly after arriving at a friend’s apartment near 16th Avenue and Camelback Road. Several men and women were seen fleeing the area. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Terry Neese, 52 – Feb. 13, 2010 – Neese was found shot several times in the area of Central Avenue and Broadway Road. A small red, newer-model Chevy was seen parked in front of his home earlier in the evening. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Nancy Newton, 82 – Newton was in her bedroom at her home near 28th Street and Osborn Road when she was confronted by someone who was inside. She was severely beaten by the suspect who then fled the scene. She died from her injuries days later. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Asadaram Navaee, 60 – Dec. 28, 2014 – Navaee was found dead in his vehicle near 24th Street and McDowell Road. He was reportedly the obvious victim of a homicide. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Fletcher Moore, 22 – Aug. 23, 1986 – Moore was found dead in the roadway near 7th Street and Dobbins Road. His vehicle was later found in a field north of the area. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Irwin Miller, 73 – Jan. 17, 2004 -- Miller was shot and killed while leaving the Phoenix City Grille near 16th Street and Bethany Home Road. He was confronted and had his wallet stolen before he was shot. The suspect got in a vehicle and fled the scene. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Cresencio Munoz III – Sept. 30, 2011 – Munoz was in a vehicle stopped at a sign near 3rd Avenue and Fillmore Street when unknown suspects fired into the vehicle. Munoz was struck and fell out of vehicle near 3rd Avenue and Adams. His cousin who was driving the truck continued to the area of 48th Street and Baseline Road where police were called. They were reportedly at a restaurant before the shooting. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Eric Jude Mendoza, 24 – Oct. 21, 2001 – Mendoza was found dead after he was shot and killed near 11th Avenue and Madison Street. The case may be related to a homicide two weeks earlier involving a transient who was shot and killed. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Deric McWilliams, 25 – March 21, 2016 – McWilliams was shot and killed in his home near 19th Avenue and Buckeye Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Darrell Gene Melvin Jr., aka Little Dello – Sept. 28, 2015 – Melvin Jr. was walking south on North 28th Street near Broadway Road. He was confronted and shot, and died from his injuries two days later. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Martika Moore, 26 – Jan. 28, 2016 – Moore was found dead on the side of the road near 29th and Northern avenues. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Albert Moore, 76 – Jan. 2, 2012 – Moore was found dead in his home near 28th Street and Broadway. He had injuries consistent with a homicide and was last seen days prior. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Kenny Mayve, 54 – March 26, 2010 – Mayve was found with severe injuries consistent with being severely assaulted at the bottom of a warehouse loading dock near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road. He died from his injuries. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Mary Martinez, 75 – Feb. 1, 2000 – Martinez was found dead by a passerby in the area of 27th Avenue and McDowell Road. She was last seen the afternoon before at her home near 11th Street and Broadway Road. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Ida Lucero, 25 – Jan. 1, 2006 – Lucero was shot at a home near 59th Avenue and McDowell Road. Witnesses heard yelling, gunshots and saw two young men flee in a white SUV. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Darryl Keith Marsh, 42 – April 18, 1999 – Marsh was shot while driving in the area of West Thomas Road and Osborn Road. The shooting is believed to have occurred after a traffic incident in which the victim told the suspect to stay in their own lane. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Isaac Gomez Lopez, 15 – Sept. 24, 2008 -- Lopez was shot after being chased into the street by two men at a bus stop near 35th Avenue and Roosevelt. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries. He was on his way to see his girlfriend when he was shot. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Joann Lopez, 32 – Lopez was found dead with a gunshot wound inside the cab of a Chevy pickup truck near 27th Avenue and Washington Street. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Joseph Telesfor Luna, 61, and Justin Eugene Smith, 40 – March 23, 2006 – Luna and Smith were at a self-serve car wash near 19th and Southern avenues when they were approached by two men. One of the suspects showed a gun, the victims gave up their wallets and both were shot and killed. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Jeffrey Martin – Aug. 27, 1997 – Martin was shot to death while walking near 27th Street and Thomas Road. He was walking from his apartment to a business nearby but was later found dead. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Linda Lund, 27 – March 2, 1985 – Lund was found murdered inside her locked motel near 24th Avenue and Buckeye Road. She may have been suffering from a mental illness at the time of her death. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Sheila Lomes, 22 – March 26, 2012 – Lomes was dead after an unknown trouble call at her apartment near 32nd Avenue and Beardsley Road. She had severe trauma and her unborn child was also killed. Her 2-year-old was found nearby unharmed. Twenty-four-year-old Gilbert Villarreal is considered a suspect. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Ramon Lara-Flores, 22 – Lara-Flores was shot and killed at an apartment near 32nd Street and McDowell Road during an attempted robbery. Person of interest, Mayira Elena Garcia may know what happened. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Loretta Lindsey and Charles Nunley – June 7, 1997 – Nunley and Lindsey were shot and killed while inside their vehicle in the parking lot of a pawn shop at 27th Avenue and Thomas Road. Two men were seen leaving the area, possibly in a white van. Robbery does not appear to be a motive. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Nathan Jay Lawrence – March 30, 2002 – Lawrence was found dead in an alley near 21st Street and Broadway Road. Two black men were seeing fleeing the area by patrol officers nearby. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Paskalita Mary Kisto, 49 –Dec. 10, 2013 – Kisto was found dead near 15th Avenue and Camelback Road. She was known to frequent bars in the area and was homeless. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Sandra Johnson, 51 – Feb. 1, 2013 -- Johnson was with three other people inside a home near 14th Way and Roeser Road when shots were fired from a vehicle. She died from her injuries. A green 2007 Ford Expedition is believed to be the suspect vehicle. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Elvina LeGarde, 69 – June 8, 2008 – LeGarde was riding in a vehicle with her daughter and 4-year-old granddaughter in the area of 21st Avenue and Maryland when they got in an argument with two suspects. A man in the vehicle fired a shot and the bullet struck the little girl, as well as LeGarde. LeGarde died from her injuries. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Bayli Knight, 28 – Oct. 29, 2016 – Knight was found with a gunshot wound at a trailer park near 24th Street and McDowell Road. Suspect is only described as a Hispanic man, 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 300 pounds. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Daniel Lopez-Zavala, 25 – Sept. 5, 2013 – Lopez-Zavala was found shot to death in his apartment near 31st Avenue and Union Hills Drive. He had been dead for several days. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Elena Lasswell, 15 – July 10, 2004 – Lasswell was found dead in her bedroom at her home near 21st Avenue and Thomas Road. A man described as a Hispanic man in his teens reportedly visited the home at some point during the night. He was driving a small, dark-colored sedan. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Kamont Karim, 19 – Dec. 7, 2015 – Karim was found lying in the roadway near 47th Avenue and Roosevelt. He had suffered a gunshot wound. Info/photos from Silent Witness.
Alan King, 33 – Aug. 16, 2012 – King was hit by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Desert Place Apartment Homes in Phoenix. He was struck from behind at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was only described as a dark-colored sedan. Info/photos from Silent Witness.