Officials identified the pair as Sam and Celestina Ertebati, both 42, after a Sunday evening call near West Bell Road.
PHOENIX — A married couple was found dead in their north Phoenix bedroom on Sunday after what police say was a suspected murder-suicide while two children were inside the home. Officers responded around 5:14 p.m. to the 2900 block of West Bell Road and found a man and woman unresponsive with a gun nearby, authorities said.
Police on Monday identified the couple as 42-year-old Sam Ertebati and 42-year-old Celestina Ertebati. Detectives say early evidence indicates the woman shot her husband before taking her own life. Phoenix Fire personnel pronounced both dead at the scene. The children were not physically hurt. The case remains under investigation as detectives interview witnesses and review evidence collected at the house. Officials have not released a possible motive, and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the neighborhood.
Officers were dispatched after a report of “unknown trouble.” While en route, they were told a man and woman had been discovered inside the residence, police said. Investigators later learned the couple lived at the home with two children, who became worried when their parents slept later than usual and called a family member. That relative arrived and found the pair in the bedroom. “Preliminary information indicates that Celestina shot Sam before turning the gun on herself,” Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Jen Zak said in a Monday update. No one else was hurt.
Detectives with the homicide unit canvassed the block near West Bell Road, spoke with neighbors and relatives, and collected a handgun and other items from inside the house, according to police. Officials said the children were present at the time but did not detail whether they heard gunfire. Authorities have not said if there were prior calls for service at the address, and they did not release information on any history of threats or domestic disputes involving the couple. The names and ages of the children were not disclosed because they are minors. Police said the circumstances that led to the shooting remain unknown.
Neighbors described the house as a busy gathering spot for kids on the block and said a basketball hoop in the driveway was used daily. On Sunday night, the street was quiet as a small memorial began to form near the curb outside the home. Several residents told reporters they were stunned by the news and said they had never seen police respond to the residence before. One neighbor said the family routinely hosted playtime for children from surrounding houses and called Sam a welcoming presence who often worked on projects in the garage.
Officials said the investigation continues this week with interviews and evidence processing. Detectives plan to compile findings for a final case report once the medical examiner completes cause-and-manner determinations. Police did not announce any scheduled briefings but said updates will be released if new information becomes available. Authorities said there is no threat to the public and emphasized that the case is being treated as an isolated incident at this time.
By Monday night, police had publicly identified both victims and confirmed the suspected sequence of events. The next update is expected after additional witness interviews and lab reviews later this week.
Author note: Last updated January 20, 2026.