Arizona family finds closure in conviction of Camino de Santiago killer

Alessandra Luckey, The Republic | azcentral.com Two years to the day that a Phoenix-area woman went missing in Spain, her family learned that the man accused of murdering her was found guilty. Miguel Angel Munoz now faces sentencing in the April 2015 killing of Denise Thiem, 41, of Litchfield Park, while she traveled the Camino de Santiago, a popularContinue reading “Arizona family finds closure in conviction of Camino de Santiago killer”

Maricopa man accused of soliciting sex from 2 teens after conversations recorded, posted on Facebook

Alessandra Luckey, The Republic | azcentral.com Quick thinking by two teenagers kept them safe when a man approached them in Maricopa offering money for sex. Maricopa police arrested Michael Yousif, 46, on Tuesday on suspicion of attempting to solicit 17- and 19- year old girls, according to Maricopa police. The man first got their attention about 9:45 a.m. MondayContinue reading “Maricopa man accused of soliciting sex from 2 teens after conversations recorded, posted on Facebook”

‘Reckless, stupid, idiotic, and insensitive’: Suspect in Chandler menorah vandalism posts public apology

Alessandra Luckey, The Republic | azcentral.com ‘From the bottom of my heart I apologize to your family,’ 19-year-old says in Facebook post. One of the four people arrested on suspicion of vandalizing of a menorah in Chandler took to Facebook to post a public apology. Clive Jamar Wilson and three friends, boys younger than 18, wereContinue reading “‘Reckless, stupid, idiotic, and insensitive’: Suspect in Chandler menorah vandalism posts public apology”

Sister pleads for help to find brother’s shooter in Phoenix

Alessandra Luckey, The Republic | azcentral.com Annette Roa and her brother were so close while growing up in El Paso, her nickname was “Little Rudy.” That’s because, wherever Rodolfo went, she was close behind. As adults, though, it was harder for her to keep up. Rodolfo Hernandez would disappear for years at a time, sheContinue reading “Sister pleads for help to find brother’s shooter in Phoenix”

Jordan Drake, 5-year-old Phoenix girl who received California baby’s heart in 2013, dies

A little more than a year ago, a young Phoenix girl who had received a donor heart from a California baby watched as that baby’s mom put a stethoscope to her chest. Heather Clark once again heard her baby Lukas’ heart beat — inside Jordan Drake. Jordan, who received the transplant in 2013, died of complicationsContinue reading “Jordan Drake, 5-year-old Phoenix girl who received California baby’s heart in 2013, dies”

Connect2STEM

By Alessandra Luckey Phoenix families came to Connect2STEM for their children to learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. This is the largest STEM event in the Phoenix area and was expected to host almost eight thousand people. Allison Otu, with the University of Arizona, hopes the event will inspire childrenContinue reading “Connect2STEM”

Phoenix man gets probation in child pornography case

Alessandra Luckey , The Republic | azcentral.com A Phoenix man arrested two years ago on child-pornography charges was sentenced to 10 years’ probation by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge. Christopher Madill, 34, also must register as a sex offender, Judge Jose Padilla ordered Thursday. He will be allowed to use a computer at workContinue reading “Phoenix man gets probation in child pornography case”

Double shooting in Phoenix was murder-suicide, police say

April Morganroth and Alessandra Luckey , The Republic | azcentral.com A double shooting in Phoenix on Monday night appears to be a murder-suicide, according to Phoenix police. Officials say Oliver Olague-Acosta, 34, shot and killed Iveth Susana Chavez, 33, before shooting himself. Four juveniles had either been in or just outside the house at the time, policeContinue reading “Double shooting in Phoenix was murder-suicide, police say”

Chandler police: Woman rammed police car, tried to run over officer

Alessandra Luckey , The Republic | azcentral.com A woman was booked on two charges after Chandler police accused her of ramming a police car with her vehicle and attempting to run over an officer Monday afternoon, police said. Enriqutta Martha Herrera, 33, was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault and unlawful flight, said Sgt. Daniel Mejia,Continue reading “Chandler police: Woman rammed police car, tried to run over officer”

Phoenix woman, ‘soft-hearted and loving,’ slain in Florida double homicide

Alessandra Luckey and Rebecca Dantuono , The Republic | azcentral.com Father recalls Kassi Henderson’s big heart, her jokes, her kind spirit A Phoenix native who was killed in the Florida panhandle was remembered Friday by her father for her strength as a person and her loving nature. Kassi Henderson, 33, was visiting her friend Mary Reed,Continue reading “Phoenix woman, ‘soft-hearted and loving,’ slain in Florida double homicide”