Cleophus Cooksey Jr.

Last updated
Cleophus Cooksey Jr.
Born
Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr.

(1982-03-25) March 25, 1982 (age 43)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Convictions Armed robbery
Manslaughter
First degree murder (8 counts)
Criminal penalty16 years (Manslaughter) [1]
Details
Victims9 convicted, suspected of 10 total
State Arizona
Date apprehended
2001 (first arrest)
December 2017 (second arrest)

Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr. (born March 25, 1982) is an American convicted serial killer, spree killer, mass murderer, and serial rapist who was found guilty of eight murders and has also been linked to a ninth. He is also accused of committing other crimes in the city of Phoenix and in surrounding areas during a 21-day span between November and December 2017. [2] [3] All nine victims had been shot. [4] His mother, Rene Cooksey, and his stepfather, Edward Nunn, were the final two victims. A blood-covered Cooksey was arrested at the scene.

Contents

Ballistics evidence, DNA testing, stolen jewelry and a stolen mobile phone belonging to one of the victims linked Cooksey to the other seven murders. [5] Phoenix authorities say there is a "distinct possibility" of more victims. Investigations into unsolved murders are ongoing. [6]

Cooksey, a grandson of Tucson civil rights leader Roy L. Cooksey, [7] is currently represented by public defender Gary Beren. [8] His trial began May 5th 2025. [9] [10] On September 25, 2025, Cooksey was convicted on eight murder charges. [11] [12]

Victims

#NameAgeDate of deathNotes
1Andrew Remillard2711-27-2017Fatally shot in a car with Parker Smith; motive unknown – leaves behind a child and wife
2Parker Smith2111-27-2017Fatally shot in a car with Andrew Remillard – motive unknown
3Salim Richards3512-2-2017Cooksey stole a Glock 9mm handgun
4Jesus Real2512-11-2017Brother of Cooksey's ex-girlfriend – leaves behind children – murder occurred in Avondale [13]
5LaTorrie Beckford2912-13-2017Motive unknown
6Kristopher Cameron2112-16-2017Murder occurred in Glendale – leaves behind an 11-month-old son and a second child on the way
7Maria Villanueva4312-16-2017Allegedly raped by Cooksey – leaves behind 2 daughters
8Rene Cooksey5612-17-2017Cooksey's mother
9Edward Nunn5412-17-2017Cooksey's stepfather

Cooksey went on trial for all the of the murders with the exception of Real as prosecutors did not charge him with that crime. [14]

Previous convictions

Cleophus Cooksey Jr. had been convicted of manslaughter and armed robbery in 2001 and had been released the previous July. [15] 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. [16] [17] Under an agreement, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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.

Their bonds were set at $3,000. [18]

References

  1. ↑ McLaughlin, Eliott; Hassan, Carma. "Serial killer behind 9 slayings in Phoenix area, police say". CNN. KSTU.
  2. ↑ "Phoenix man accused of killing nine people during three-week period - ABC15 Arizona". abc15.com. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  3. ↑ "Suspected serial killer accused of shooting 9 in 3 weeks is an 'aspiring music star'". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  4. ↑ Boroff, David (January 18, 2018). "Suspected serial killer accused of slaying nine people in three weeks, including mother and stepfather". New York Daily News .
  5. ↑ "Police in the Phoenix area say a man, Cleophus Cooksey Jr., shot and killed nine people, including his own mother". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  6. ↑ "Phoenix Police Charge Cleophus Cooksey Jr. With Nine Murders". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  7. ↑ "Roy Cooksey dies; tireless advocate for civil rights | Local news". tucson.com. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  8. ↑ "Phoenix police: Serial killing suspect tied to 9 attacks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  9. ↑ "Man goes on trial accused of 8 killings in metro Phoenix in 2017". Associated Press . Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Cleophus Cooksey: Accused serial killer's trial begins in Phoenix". Fox 10 Phoenix. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Arizona jury convicts man in string of shootings that killed 8 in metro Phoenix". Associated Press . Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Cleophus Cooksey, Jr.: Arizona man found guilty of 8 murders". Fox 10 Phoenix. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ TEGNA. "PD: Man arrested for murder of mother, stepfather linked to 7 other Phoenix-area murders". WFAA.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  14. ↑ Whitney, Briana (May 5, 2025). "Man goes on trial accused of 8 killings in metro Phoenix in 2017". The Associated Press. KTVK. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Man suspected in 9 slayings in Phoenix area has ties to Tucson | Local news". tucson.com. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  16. ↑ "Serial killer? Cleophus Cooksey tied to 9 attacks in Phoenix". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  17. ↑ "Arizona First Degree Murder Law". FindLaw. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  18. ↑ Staff, Crimesider (January 19, 2018). "3 women accused of hindering Phoenix serial killer probe - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com.
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