Arizona Archives - The American Retiree

Tragic Love Triangle Culminates in Deadly Murder-Suicide in Surprise, Arizona

Surprise, Arizona – A tragic shooting early Monday morning left two men dead in an incident police are calling a murder-suicide. The occurrence unfolded in a business parking area near Loop 303 and Bell Road, shedding light on the volatile consequences of personal relationships gone awry. Upon their arrival at the scene around 5 a.m., Surprise Police Department officers discovered Daniel Roman, 43, and Lucas Izzo, 49, both deceased from gunshot injuries. The investigation subsequently …

Former ‘ALF’ Star Benji Gregory Dies at 46 from Heatstroke in Arizona, Alongside His Service Dog

PHOENIX — Benji Gregory, who once charmed audiences as Brian Tanner on the popular 1980s sitcom “ALF,” has died at the age of 46. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the actor died from environmental heat exposure in conjunction with underlying health issues. Gregory was discovered deceased alongside his service dog, Hans, in his car in a bank parking lot in Arizona on June 13. The tragic passing was ruled accidental. …

Arizona Father Faces Murder Charge in Tragic Hot Car Death of Toddler Daughter

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson man has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse after his 2-year-old daughter died in a hot car last month, sparking a broader discussion on parental negligence and car safety mechanisms. Chris Scholtes, who appeared subdued during his court hearing on August 8, pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the tragic incident outside his family home in Marana. On July 9, amidst sweltering weather conditions with temperatures …

Community Shaken by Deadly Intersection Shooting Following Road Rage Clash in Surprise, Arizona

SURPRISE, Ariz. – A tragic road rage confrontation turned fatal in Surprise, Arizona, ending in the death of a 33-year-old man and the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect. The fatal altercation, which occurred on Saturday near the intersection of 163rd Avenue and Grand Avenue, has profoundly impacted the local community and raised serious concerns about road safety. In the wake of the incident, witnesses shared harrowing details. Among them, Joe and Stacy Morel, who had …

Arizona Father Faces Murder Charges After Toddler Dies in Hot Car

Marana, AZ — An Arizona man faces charges of second-degree murder and child abuse after his 2-year-old daughter died when he allegedly left her in a hot car. The incident occurred in Marana, a small town north of Tucson. The father, identified as 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes, reportedly left the child asleep in the vehicle after coming home. According to Marana Police, Scholtes said he did not want to wake his daughter, choosing instead to let …

Community Mourns as Arizona Mother’s Tragic Fate Unfolds; Husband Admits to Murder

Flagstaff, AZ – The local community and family members are mourning the tragic death of Kelly Paduchowski, a mother of two, whose disappearance and murder have shocked this Northern Arizona city. Authorities disclosed late last week that Daniel Paduchowski, 58, Kelly’s husband and father to their children, confessed to committing the crime, thus bringing to an abrupt and grim conclusion a search that had spanned several days. Kelly Paduchowski, 45, was reported missing by her …

Arizona Father Faces Murder Charges After Tragic Hot Car Death of Toddler Daughter

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Marana man faces charges of second-degree murder and child abuse after his 2-year-old daughter tragically died from heat exposure in a vehicle. Authorities arrested 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes on Friday, following the incident that occurred earlier in the week. The local police reported that Scholtes left his young daughter inside a parked car in the driveway of their residence near Cortaro and Interstate 10 on a warm July afternoon. Investigators have accused …

After Two Decades, Suspect Arrested for 2004 Murder of Arizona Teenager

PHOENIX, Arizona — In a dramatic resolution to a case that has haunted Phoenix for two decades, Sergio Reyes, 37, was arrested on charges linked to the 2004 murder of 15-year-old Elena Lasswell, authorities confirmed. Reyes, who was identified as a suspect ten years after the tragic event, was extradited from Mexico and booked into Maricopa County Jail this Wednesday. The arrest coincides with the 20th anniversary of the day Lasswell was found murdered in …

Elderly Arizona Man Claims Mercy Killing of Sick Wife, Reigniting Debate on Assisted Suicide Laws

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — In a harrowing incident, a 67-year-old man from Goodyear confessed to the fatal shooting of his 65-year-old wife, claiming he intended to relieve her enduring pain. This case has thrust the contentious issue of assisted suicide back into the spotlight, particularly in a state where such practices remain illegal. Michael Gelleny, who is now facing charges including first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, reportedly contacted police to admit to the crime. He …

Arizona Father Receives Life Sentence for Starvation Death of 6-Year-Old Son, Additional Charges Include Child Abuse and Kidnapping

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An Arizona man has received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 2020 death of his son, whom he starved and harshly punished. Anthony Martinez, 28, was handed his sentence on Friday by a Coconino County judge for the first-degree murder of his 6-year-old son, Deshaun Martinez. During the trial, the court heard heart-wrenching details of how Deshaun and his older sibling were subjected to extreme neglect and abuse. …