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PHOENIX - A DNA match helped identify a suspect in a 15-year-old homicide case involving a man found dead at a bus stop.
The backstory:
On the morning of Sept. 5, 2010, 69-year-old Walter Zimmer was found dead at a bus stop near 51st Avenue and West Thomas Road in Phoenix. He was found with "obvious signs of injury," according to the police department.
While physical evidence was collected, detectives were unable to locate witnesses or video surveillance during the initial investigation.
From that evidence, an unidentified male's DNA profile was developed.
What we know:
Cold case detectives received a Combined DNA Index System hit matching the profile of a suspect, identified as 35-year-old Edgar Mendoza.
On Sept. 29, 2025, Mendoza was found and taken to Phoenix Police headquarters for questioning, where he reportedly confessed to the homicide during an interview.
The case was resolved by investigators with the Homicide Unit, Cold Case Squad and the Phoenix Police Crime Lab.
What they're saying:
According to Phoenix Police Sgt. Jennifer Zak, police had little evidence at the time of the initial investigation into the death of an unidentified man who was found dead at a bus stop.
The victim, Zimmer, who would regularly frequent the area and yell at passing cars, died from blunt impact injuries to the head and neck, according to the medical examiner's office.
Detectives were able to collect a DNA profile from the scene, which was entered into the national CODIS system.
In 2024, Mendoza was arrested on suspicion of a separate felony. In Arizona, those arrested for felonies must submit a DNA profile. That sample matched the profile from the 2010 crime scene, linking Mendoza to the cold case.
Zak said Mendoza was taken into custody during a recent traffic stop on Sept. 29, 2025. He reportedly changed his story multiple times before confessing to the murder, claiming he was angry at the victim for being disrespectful.
Mendoza told police he punched the victim 15 to 20 times in the head and face to prevent him from getting up.
Mendoza is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.
Map of the area where the murder happened
The Source: This information was provided by the Phoenix Police Department.