Alex Madrid: Arizona man sentenced to death for raping, murdering teen girl
MESA, Ariz. - Officials with the Maricopa County Attorney's office say a man who was found guilty in connection with the murder of a high school freshman over a decade ago will be put to death.
Per a statement released on Jan. 16, 42-year-old Alex Anthony Madrid was sentenced to death in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Claudia Lucero back in 2013.
Victim initially reported as missing

Alex Madrid (Courtesy: Mesa Police Department)
According to prosecutors, Madrid's death sentence is on top of the 91-year prison sentence he received for various charges related to the case.
The murder happened in 2013, and the victim was identified as Claudia Lucero.
Timeline:
Initially, prosecutors said Lucero's family filed a missing person report with Mesa Police when Claudia did not come home from school.
The day after the victim's family filed the report with police, Lucero's remains were found in a dumpster two miles away from her home.
Per a medical examiner's report, Lucero died from strangulation, and her body "showed signs of sexual assault."
Prosecutors said Madrid was arrested after forensic evidence tied Madrid to the crime.
As for Madrid, officials with MCAO said he was convicted in October 2024 of first degree murder, kidnapping, sexual conduct with a minor, second degree burglary, abandonment or concealment of a dead body, and unlawful flight from law enforcement.
What they're saying:
"After waiting 11 painful years to see Claudia’s murderer be held accountable, the day has finally arrived for Claudia’s mother and the Lucero family. I have had the privilege of being with them and saw firsthand the pain they’ve been through," said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.
What's next:
With the death sentence, Madrid will join the ranks of the current 111 inmates on Arizona's death row.
According to Maricopa County's website, Arizona law "provides an automatic appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court to an individual sentenced to death."
"Post-conviction proceedings are governed by Rule 32 of the Arizona Rules of Procedure and provide the grounds for available relief, including a new guilt or sentencing trial. The most common ground raised in post-conviction is ineffective assistance of trial or appellate counsel," a portion of the website reads.