3 dead in apparent murder-suicide at Phoenix home
PHOENIX - Police say a man shot and killed two women during a holiday gathering on Christmas Eve in Phoenix before taking his own life.
According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home near Central Avenue and Bethany Home Road just before 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.
When the officers got to the scene, they found three people with gunshot wounds. Two of the people shot were taken to the hospital, where they later died, while the third person shot died at the scene.
Authorities identify those involved
3 killed in Phoenix murder-suicide case
The incident happened during the late night hours of Dec. 24, in the area of Central Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Of the three people involved in the incident, one of them was the widow of a former Maricopa County Attorney who died in 2022. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas reports.
Police officials have identified the three people shot as:
- 83-year-old Cynthia Domini
- 47-year-old Maryalice Cash
- 47-year-old David De Nitto
De Nitto is the widower of former Maricopa County Attorney, Allister Adel.
Adel, who resigned in March 2022 following a slew of controversy involving her office, died in April that same year. At the time, De Nitto said "my family and I are utterly heartbroken by this unimaginable loss."
De Nitto and Adel were married for nearly 20 years, according to De Nitto's statement that was released following Adel's death.
"Early information indicates Cash and De Nitto were in a relationship together," Phoenix Police Sgt. Melissa Soliz said. "There was a holiday gathering at the home and an altercation occurred before the shooting."
Details on what led up to the shooting are under investigation.
GoFundMe: Remembering Cidy Domini & Molly Domini-Cash
County Attorney Speaks Out
The current Maricopa County Attorney, Rachel Mitchell, has released a statement on the incident. It reads:
"It is impossible to comprehend a tragedy such as this. Words cannot adequately express the flood of sorrow. I ask the community to join me in praying for the families affected and, most especially, Allister’s children. I also ask that the community surround the families with love, kindness, and a respect for the need for privacy."
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line for free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide and CLICK HERE for more on the 988 Lifeline.