The Phoenix Police Department has reported the arrest of a man in connection with a murder that has remained unsolved since 1998. The victim, 28-year-old Sarah Carr, was killed from a gunshot in her home located near 14th Street and McDowell Road on July 9 of that year. According to ABC15, for years, the case went cold as investigators only had a nickname to identify the suspected murderer.
Advancements in technology allowed cold case detectives to connect the crime to 58-year-old Javier Lorenzano-Nunez, who, after the murder, had spent time in California before moving to Mexico. As reported by KTAR, a partnership between the U.S. Justice Department and Mexican law enforcement officials culminated in Lorenzano-Nunez's arrest after years of prolonged investigation and collaboration.
Lorenzano-Nunez was extradited to Phoenix on October 21, 2024. He faces a $3.5 million bond set by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Bringing closure to the decades-long case, the Phoenix Police Department stated, "After 26 years, the suspect in the murder of Sarah Carr will now face accountability and charges related to his actions in July 1998." This statement was obtained by ABC15.
The resolution of this case also carries personal significance for Sarah Carr's family. Peggy Carr, Sarah's sister, expressed a poignant sentiment, saying, "I think she's dancing in heaven right now," which she told Phoenix police after the arrest—an emotion shared by others affected by Sarah Carr's untimely death. Sarah's son, Garrett Miller, inspired by his mother's case, has gone on to become a police officer in Austin, Texas, according to a YouTube video posted by Phoenix police and reported by KTAR.
