Arizona’s Family journalists Briana Whitney and Serjio Hernandez take a deep dive into both unsolved and solved cases around Arizona — retracing steps, uncovering new evidence, and revealing new theories from those involved in the investigations.
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RSS FeedFor the first time, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has a new cold case unit that’s starting their work with 5 unsolved cases. Who killed these people, and why? We dive into details of each case, where it stands now, and explore the new evidence that’s come to light. The unit also vows to work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People cases, and explores how AI could be a way forward with case investigations.
In the wake of infamous FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs locked up in prison, a new leader emerged: Samuel Bateman. Bateman started his own offshoot of the polygamous religion, taking in multiple wives and child brides as young as 9 years old. An FLDS survivor and advocates tried to sound the alarm to the FBI for years, but it wouldn’t be until a bizarre traffic stop in Flagstaff that Bateman would be caught. From there this story exploded: sex trafficking schemes, naked “sacred ordinances,” kidnapping, and an FBI raid. After years and multiple plea deals, Samuel Bateman learned his prison fate in a Phoenix federal courtroom in December 2024. And for the first time, the once child victims spoke directly to him before the judge had the last word.
What happened during the 2023 Christmas Eve murders inside a Central Phoenix home was largely a mystery until now, though the public knew the killer was the husband of late Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel. As the victim’s son reveals exactly what unfolded that night and how he narrowly escaped alive, a woman shares her story for the first time about the secret and silent domestic abuse Allister Adel suffered before her death at the hands of the same man.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic violence or mental health, please visit these links and resources for help:
https://des.az.gov/domestic-violence
https://www.phoenix.gov/law/victims/domestic-violence/resources-and-referrals
The Teen Killer Trial
In February 2019, a 14-year-old stabbed his aunt to death during a family reunion in Arizona. He was charged as an adult with first degree murder, and confessed to the crime. But in an unprecedented trial where mental health was not admissible, one family was split on either side of the courtroom as this unraveled in front of a jury, with an unexpected outcome. Emotional testimony and words came from all sides, including the young defendant himself.
Mental health resources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
https://www.maricopa.gov/5065/Resources
https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/
In 1979, a young woman from Ohio was found shot dead near the Hoover Dam. With a renewed search to find her killer, True Crime Arizona dives into the bizarre clues and evidence surrounding a powder blue Bronco, as detectives try to find new leads on the murder of the “Yellow Pages” heiress, who was set to inherit $40 million at the time of her death.
On July 31st 2024, Elizabeth Byrd’s longtime best friend knew something was wrong when Liz didn’t show up for their workout class. After calling police for a welfare check when loved ones found out three young kids were left alone, officers found Liz Byrd dead in her bedroom. Her husband, John Byrd, was a detective for the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, and specialized in justice for domestic violence victims. He was nowhere to be found, and once police caught up to him, he confessed to killing his wife. Liz’ brother and best friend detail what happened that day before and after the murder, what they’ve learned since, and how they’re helping care for the Byrd’s kids who lost so much in this tragedy.
The True Crime Arizona team heads out to the Arizona desert where Ginger and Christina’s remains were found, and the detectives in the case reveal whether they believe there are more victims of John Flowers and where they may be located. The victims’ families share personal final thoughts about John Flowers getting out of prison in a short number of years, and Flowers himself messages back and forth with Briana from inside his prison cell – telling a story in his own words.
After detectives positively identify the other Jane Doe victim, detectives sit face to face with an incarcerated John Flowers in Reno, Nevada, where he puts on quite the performance when questioned. We learn about how each murder case unfolds in the court system, and it’s not how anyone wanted. Detectives reveal their biggest fears with this case.
When Ginger Rios’ remains are discovered in the Arizona desert, so are the remains of another unidentified girl. For years nobody knew who the Jane Doe was. Around 2008, when Myspace comes about, a Phoenix woman can’t find her long lost friend on the new social media network. She grows concerned and reports her missing to police. That ended up opening a controversial investigation, but ultimately led to the identity of the Jane Doe, and what police believe happened to her at the hands of the spy shop owner, John Flowers.
Detectives find the remains of Ginger Rios in the Arizona desert and make another horrific discovery while there: Another girl was dead and buried in the same area. While police try to figure out who the Jane Doe victim is, spy shop owner John Flowers goes on the run but is eventually caught and arrested for murder. For the first time, we hear Flowers’ side of the story as to what happened to Ginger Rios, and a new witness comes out of the woodwork with concerning information about possible other victims.