Coroner Confirms Esteban Valenzuela’s Cause of Death: One Fatal Gunshot to the Heart

The Maricopa Police Department continues to investigate a tragic shooting incident that occurred on Dancer Lane near Dirk Street on November 22, 2024. The case has taken a grim turn with the release of autopsy reports detailing the circumstances surrounding the death of 16-year-old Esteban Valenzuela.

According to documents from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, Valenzuela died from a single gunshot wound that penetrated vital organs, including his heart and liver. The bullet entered near his left shoulder, traversed his upper lung, heart, diaphragm, and ultimately was recovered from his colon.

Initial reports indicated that Valenzuela was shot inside a vehicle, but coroner findings detail that he was found on the sidewalk. He suffered “significant blood loss” before being transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead just minutes after arrival.

The shooting took place during what authorities claim was an attempted robbery of a local cannabis dealer, 16-year-old Sergio Michael Munoz. In a recent interview, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller suggested that Valenzuela was shot by a member of his own group during the incident.

Questions remain as prosecutors work to understand the dynamics of the drug deal gone awry, including the identity of the shooter and the motivations behind the violence. Two juveniles, Isaiah Bandin, 15, and Eliot Jackson, 17, are set to face trial as adults on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery stemming from Valenzuela’s death. Investigators suspect a familial connection between Bandin and Valenzuela.

Additionally, Maricopa police have arrested two other juveniles, a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, linked to the murder. Their identities and potential charges will remain undisclosed until decisions are made regarding adult charges.

Bandin’s next court hearing is scheduled for February 24, while a date for Jackson’s next appearance has not been confirmed at this time.