Arizona’s AG Mayes Launches Innovative Cold Case Homicide Unit

Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the establishment of a cold case homicide unit during a press conference on Thursday. This initiative will initially focus on five unsolved murders in the Phoenix Valley, dating back to 1992.

The new unit, which has been in development for over a year, aims to assist rural law enforcement agencies lacking the resources available to larger departments like the Phoenix Police. “This unit reflects my commitment to ensuring that justice is not forgotten or abandoned no matter how much time has passed,” Mayes stated.

Special Agent Roger Geisler will supervise the unit, employing advanced DNA and genealogy techniques to reinvigorate cases that were previously deemed unsolvable. “The advance in those resources for us has really opened up a lot of doors,” Geisler remarked about the technology’s potential impact.

In her address, Mayes revealed that her team has engaged with Arizona’s colleges and universities to explore supplementary resources. “Justice has no expiration date,” she emphasized, noting that each cold case represents a life that mattered.

Significantly, the establishment of the unit will not require additional funding from the attorney general’s office. Instead, it will operate using reallocated resources, although Mayes stressed that the Legislature must prioritize public safety more effectively.

The unit will select cases based on referrals, prioritizing those from areas with limited resources while supporting as many agencies as possible. Currently, five cases are under review:

• Sabino Lopez, 21, shot in Tolleson on June 9, 2019, following an encounter with three suspects in a silver SUV.
• Victoria Lacey, 25, was fatally stabbed in Glendale on August 13, 2012. Though she communicated with paramedics, she was unable to identify her attacker.
• Leslie Good, 39, was shot and killed in Goodyear on June 3, 2008, by an unidentified shooter.
• Diana Shawcroft, 20, and Jennifer Lueth, 19, were last seen leaving a convenience store in Glendale on May 4, 1996. Their bodies were discovered three months later, with new evidence surfacing recently.
• In a particularly poignant case, police discovered the body of 15-year-old Melody Harrison in the desert near Apache Junction on August 6, 1992. DNA evidence recently identified her, shining a new light on her long-missing status.

“Together, we will do everything in our power to bring closure to the families and justice to the victims of these homicides,” Mayes affirmed, declaring the unit’s unwavering commitment. “We see you. We hear you. And we will not give up until justice is served.”

Authorities encourage anyone with information about a cold case to reach out to the Arizona Attorney General’s office or contact Silent Witness.