Cleophus Cooksey Jr.

Cleophus Cooksey Jr.
Born
Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr.

(1982-03-25) March 25, 1982
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
ConvictionsArmed robbery (4 counts)
Manslaughter
First degree murder (8 counts)
Kidnapping (2 counts)
Attempted sexual assault
Criminal penaltyDeath (x6)
Details
Victims8–9+
StateArizona
Date apprehended
2001 (first arrest)
December 2017 (second arrest)

Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr. (born March 25, 1982) is an American convicted spree killer and serial rapist who was found guilty in 2025 of killing eight people during a three-week killing spree in the Phoenix metropolitan area in late 2017. Cooksey was sentenced to death for six of those murders. He was also convicted of related crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted sexual assault.[1][2]

Early life and prior convictions

Cooksey is a grandson of Tucson civil rights leader Roy L. Cooksey.[3]

Cooksey was convicted of manslaughter and armed robbery in 2001.[4] He was one of four men who attempted to rob a topless bar. Although the manager fatally shot one of Cooksey's accomplices and the shooting was deemed self-defense, under Arizona's felony murder law, Cooksey was held culpable because the death occurred during the commission of a crime.[5][6] Under an agreement, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

2017 murders and arrest

Cooksey was linked to nine murders and other crimes committed in Phoenix and surrounding areas during a 21-day span between November and December 2017. All nine victims were shot.[7]

On December 17, 2017, police responded to shots fired at the apartment where Cooksey’s mother, Rene Cooksey, and stepfather, Edward Nunn, lived. They were found both dead at the scene, and Cooksey was arrested nearby. Investigators reportedly found evidence and personal items belonging to other victims at the apartment.

Ballistics evidence, DNA testing, stolen jewelry, and a stolen mobile phone belonging to one of the victims linked Cooksey to the other seven murders.[8] Phoenix authorities say there is a "distinct possibility" of more victims. Investigations into unsolved murders are ongoing.[9]

Trial

Cooksey was represented by public defender Robert Reinhardt and Adrian Little.[10] MCAO Deputy County Attorneys Josh Maxwell, Chris Sammons, and James Baumann, represented the State of Arizona. His trial began on May 5, 2025.[11][12]

On September 25, Cooksey was convicted on eight murder charges.[13][14]

On December 18, Cooksey was sentenced to death for six of the murders; jurors deadlocked on their sentencing recommendation for the remaining two murder counts.[15][16]

Victims

# Name Age Date of death Notes
1 Andrew Remillard 27 November 27, 2017 Fatally shot in a car with Parker Smith; motive unknown – left behind a child and wife
2 Parker Smith 21 November 27, 2017 Fatally shot in a car with Andrew Remillard – motive unknown
3 Salim Richards 35 December 2, 2017 Cooksey stole a Glock 9mm handgun
4 Jesus Real 25 December 11, 2017 Brother of Cooksey's ex-girlfriend – left behind children – murder occurred in Avondale[17]
5 LaTorrie Beckford 29 December 13, 2017 Motive unknown
6 Kristopher Cameron 21 December 16, 2017 Murder occurred in Glendale – left behind an 11-month-old son and a second child on the way
7 Maria Villanueva 43 December 16, 2017 Allegedly raped by Cooksey – left behind two daughters
8 Rene Cooksey 56 December 17, 2017 Cooksey's mother
9 Edward Nunn 54 December 17, 2017 Cooksey's stepfather

Prosecutors did not charge Cooksey for the murder of Jesus Real.[18]

Phoenix police arrested three women: Desaree Coronado (aged 23) and sisters Griselda and Liliana Vasquez (ages 24 and 26, respectively), on one count each of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence. Both are felonies. Coronado was the mother of Jesus Real's child. She was also charged with one misdemeanor count of false reporting to law enforcement. Liliana Vasquez is Cleophus Cooksey Jr.'s ex-girlfriend. Griselda Vasquez ultimately admitted to taking a mobile phone off Real's body. Police say they have evidence that Liliana's car was in the area of two of the murders.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Biscobing, Dave (January 18, 2018). "Phoenix man accused of killing 9 people during three-week period". KNXV-TV. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  2. ^ "Suspected serial killer accused of shooting 9 in 3 weeks is an 'aspiring music star'". ABC News. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  3. ^ Matas, Kimberly (August 20, 2009). "Roy Cooksey dies; tireless advocate for civil rights". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  4. ^ "Man suspected in 9 slayings in Phoenix area has ties to Tucson". Arizona Daily Star. Associated Press. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  5. ^ Cassidy, Megan; Pohl, Jason (January 18, 2018). "Police tie 9 attacks to Phoenix serial-killing suspect". USA Today. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Arizona First Degree Murder Law". FindLaw. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  7. ^ Boroff, David (January 18, 2018). "Suspected serial killer accused of slaying nine people in three weeks, including mother and stepfather". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  8. ^ Tang, Terry (January 18, 2018). "Police in the Phoenix area say a man, Cleophus Cooksey Jr., shot and killed nine people, including his own mother". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  9. ^ Holstege, Sean (January 18, 2018). "Did Phoenix Have Yet Another Serial Killer in 2017?". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Tang, Terry (January 20, 2018). "Phoenix police: Serial killing suspect tied to 9 attacks". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Billeaud, Jacques (May 5, 2025). "Man goes on trial accused of 8 killings in metro Phoenix in 2017". Associated Press. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  12. ^ "Cleophus Cooksey: Accused serial killer's trial begins in Phoenix". KSAZ-TV. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  13. ^ Billeaud, Jacques; Govindarao, Sejal (September 25, 2025). "Arizona jury convicts man in string of shootings that killed 8 in metro Phoenix". Associated Press. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  14. ^ McNamara, Ellen; Beach, Kenzie (September 25, 2025). "Cleophus Cooksey, Jr.: Arizona man found guilty of 8 murders". KSAZ-TV. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "Arizona jury sentences man to death in string of killings in metro Phoenix during 2017". Associated Press. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  16. ^ "Cleophus Cooksey, Jr.: Convicted Arizona serial killer sentenced to death". Fox 10 Phoenix. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "PD: Man arrested for murder of mother, stepfather linked to 7 other Phoenix-area murders". WFAA. January 18, 2018. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  18. ^ Whitney, Briana (May 5, 2025). "Man goes on trial accused of 8 killings in metro Phoenix in 2017". Associated Press. KTVK. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  19. ^ "3 women accused of hindering Phoenix serial killer probe". CBS News. January 19, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
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