The Phoenix community is grappling with a harrowing incident of domestic violence that ended in a brutal murder. FOX 10 Phoenix reports that 31-year-old Paxton Wallace was killed by Jeffrey Rael, 47, her boyfriend, in what her aunt describes as a legacy defined by more than her tragic death. Rael, who is now facing charges of first-degree murder, is alleged to have used a chainsaw in the gruesome attack.
Wallace was remembered by her family as the uplifting eldest sibling, crucial in caring for her brother with special needs. A disturbing detail, provided by her sister Alida Wallace, in an interview with AZ Family, illuminates the nightmare: Paxton was trying to escape the relationship and had sought help from domestic violence services, which, overwhelmed, could not secure her a timely refuge. The family is now haunted by the thought that the systems in place failed to protect her.
Neighbors reported to the police of hearing fights between the couple, a backdrop to a tragedy that unfolded in the early morning hours of November 7. With recent data from the Council on Criminal Justice highlighting a 3% rise in domestic violence cases, this incident has underscored a critical outlier in an otherwise declining trend of violent offenses. Both FOX 10 Phoenix and AZ Family highlight the family's appeal for the public to be vigilant, to reach out and call for help if they suspect someone may be in danger.
As the Wallace family navigates their grief, they are faced with the daunting task of planning a funeral instead of a Thanksgiving celebration. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, while Paxton is remembered for her love of the holiday and her affection for her two dogs, "her babies" whose whereabouts remain unknown, the family clings to the memories of better days. Charged with first-degree murder, Rael is currently held on a $1 million bond, leaving behind a chilling confession to the 911 operator that "he had to kill her because she was possessed." This claim, sitting in stark contrast to the vibrant life her family recalls, is now part of a narrative that is demanding a greater community response against domestic violence.
