Phoenix, AZ — In one of Arizona’s most chilling murder trials in recent memory, Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr., 42, was found guilty of murdering eight people during a bloody three-week rampage in late 2017. Among his victims: his own mother and alleged girlfriend.
The jury reached its verdict Friday after a harrowing trial that brought to light disturbing details of Cooksey’s spree, which prosecutors described as calculated and cold-blooded. The murders took place across Phoenix, Glendale, and Avondale, and investigators believe Cooksey used the same stolen gun in several of the killings.
Who Were the Victims?
Cooksey’s victims ranged in age from 21 to 56 and included:
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Rene Cooksey, his mother
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Maria Villanueva, his alleged girlfriend
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Lawrence Zachary, 56
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Adrian DeShon, 21
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Jesus Bonifacio Real, 25
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Andrew Remillard, 27
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Parker Smith, 21
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Latorrie Beckford, 29
Authorities say the killings all occurred between November 27 and December 17, 2017.
Caught by a Tragic Mistake
The final murder, that of Rene Cooksey, turned out to be Cooksey’s downfall. After his mother was found shot inside her condo, Cooksey was taken into custody. Ballistics and cell phone data soon linked him to seven other killings.
Prosecutors say a stolen .45-caliber handgun was the common thread across multiple crime scenes. Investigators also used surveillance footage, DNA evidence, and even geolocation tracking to build the case.
Cooksey’s Defense?
Cooksey pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence, with his attorneys arguing that the evidence was circumstantial and that multiple individuals could have had access to the gun. The jury rejected this claim after weeks of testimony and forensic evidence.
Sentencing Ahead
Cooksey faces life in prison or the death penalty. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this year. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has not confirmed whether it will seek capital punishment.
A Community Still Shaken
The brutality of the murders—and the fact that some victims were close to Cooksey—have left deep emotional scars in Phoenix-area communities. Prosecutors called the case “one of the most disturbing mass killing trials in Arizona history.”
As the city tries to move forward, families of the victims say they are grateful for justice, but the pain will never fully fade.
