20 December 2025 :

December 18, 2025 - Arizona. Cleophus Cooksey, 43, Black, sentenced to death.

By a Maricopa County jury

Cleophus Cooksey has been sentenced to death for the murders of 6 people in 2017. The jury was hung on the punishment for 2 other murders.

On December 18, a jury found that Cooksey will receive the death penalty for the murders of 6 people and other crimes in the West Valley in 2017. The jury was undecided on two additional murder victims.

On November 27, 2017 Cooksey shot and killed Parker Smith and Andrew Remillard while the 2 were sitting together in a car. That set off a killing spree that culminated in the murders of Cooksey’s mother and stepfather, Rene Cooksey and Edward Nunn on December 17.

Over 3 weeks, Cooksey also shot and killed Salim Richards, Latorrie Beckford, Kristopher Cameron, and Maria Villanueva. He was connected to the murders through various evidence tying the different crime scenes together, including DNA, firearms, and casings. At the time of his arrest, Cooksey was wearing a gold necklace stolen from Salim, and Maria’s car keys were found in his apartment.

Trial started in April 2025. On September 25, the jury found Cooksey guilty of all charges:

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/arizona-serial-killings-resulted-death-penalty-128533878
https://maricopacountyattorney.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1267