Arizona Watcher
A 37-year-old Mesa man called 911 on July 21 saying he found 36-year-old Cierra Tellez unresponsive; officers arrived around 11 a.m. and located her deceased at the couple’s residence.
Investigators reported visible bruising on Tellez and opened a homicide investigation; after examining the scene and evidence, authorities developed probable cause and arrested the man on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges.
Searchers recovered blood-stained clothing and a metal object described as a bronze rod at the home; officials say those items, plus Tellez’s injuries, supported the charges. The victim is survived by two children, ages 12 and 15.
Neighbors told investigators the couple appeared normal the night before and the accused was distraught the next morning; he told a neighbor he was heading to work, but police say he did not report to his job that day.
New court records and surveillance footage weakened the suspect’s alibi: video shows him leaving and reentering the unit about 8:15 a.m. in shorts while wiping his chest, and detectives reported finding blood in three rooms.
Records show a broken metallic cane containing the victim’s hair was recovered. During booking the suspect reportedly said he believed he had 'f***** up' and, when asked if he planned to hurt himself or others, said 'yeah, both.'
Prosecutors called the killing 'very brutal and horrific' and noted the suspect’s prior domestic-violence and kidnapping history. He remains in custody on $1,250,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Maricopa County court on July 29 as the probe continues.
A Mesa man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder after reporting his girlfriend unresponsive. Investigators say the victim had visible bruises and officers found evidence at the home that led to probable cause for the arrest.