Maricopa Wife Strangler Arrested and Behind Bars, Say Authorities

A 23-year-old man from Maricopa, Sully Wayne Bochat, has been arrested on charges of aggravated strangulation and domestic violence. The accusations stem from a prolonged period of violence against his wife, which reportedly lasted several months.

According to a probable cause statement from Maricopa police, the victim reported incidents of strangulation on October 14. She indicated that Bochat had exerted physical force on her during numerous occasions. Following her report, a forensic nurse examined her condition and advised immediate medical attention, citing visible injuries.

The nurse documented injuries consistent with strangulation, including redness behind the ears, multiple abrasions, and considerable swelling in the neck. These findings raised serious concerns regarding the severity of her situation.

Investigators learned that the abusive behavior escalated two months before Bochat’s arrest. The couple had married in Las Vegas on March 11, 2023, when Bochat was just 22 years old. The victim shared that discussions about divorce prompted Bochat’s violent outbursts.

Interestingly, the couple had publicly announced a pregnancy last October, although police did not find a child present at their home on Walker Way during their investigation.

Bochat has been booked into the Pinal County jail, and if convicted of the aggravated strangulation charges, he could face up to 12 years in prison. With his 24th birthday approaching in December, Bochat could spend a significant portion of his life incarcerated if sentenced according to Arizona’s guidelines.