On Friday, June 12, 2026, a Maricopa County courtroom opened a long-delayed chapter in Phoenix history, as jurors heard opening arguments in the cold-case prosecution of the 1984 killing of 22-year-old Aimee See. The decades-old case, revived as forensic DNA technology advanced, is now before a jury with defendant David Kizziar facing charges of murder and sexual assault.
According to The Arizona Republic, opening statements zeroed in on scientific evidence and highlighted that Kizziar has chosen to represent himself. Prosecutors told jurors they intend to lean heavily on DNA and forensic testimony to link the defendant to the crime scene.
What Investigators Say Happened
Police say See's body was discovered on Feb. 17, 1984, inside an abandoned Phoenix mortuary near North Third Avenue. Court records and contemporaneous reporting describe blunt-force injuries and a telephone cord around her neck. The victim, then 22, was found nude on a sleeping bag, and investigators concluded she had been sexually assaulted, according to reporting by ABC15.
How Detectives Built a DNA Lead
Cold-case detectives revisited the evidence in 2012 and say newer forensic processes eventually produced a usable DNA profile. Investigators tied that profile to Kizziar in 2020. Police obtained a court-ordered DNA sample, and he was arrested in November 2020 after laboratory testing reported a match, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
What To Expect in Court
During opening arguments, prosecutors told jurors they will hear from expert witnesses who will walk them through the decades-long forensic trail and explain how modern testing tied a DNA profile to the defendant. The Arizona Republic reported that Kizziar informed the judge he would proceed without counsel, a decision that could shape how evidence, objections, and witness questioning play out over the course of the trial.
The Maricopa County Superior Court notes that self-represented parties are held to the same procedural rules as attorneys and offers a Law Library Resource Center to help pro se litigants understand filings and courtroom procedures. For general guidance and resources for those representing themselves, see the Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center.
