Ariz. Dad Stabbed Wife 43 Times While Son Waited Outside — Then Boy Asked Heartbreaking Question By Christine Pelisek

An Arizona dad was sentenced to natural life in prison without the possibility of parole for the “horrific murder” of his estranged wife who was brutally stabbed 43 times, prosecutors said on Monday, Sept. 15.

Javier Lopez pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder in the 2024 death of Christina Lopez, according to a Pinal County Attorney’s Office press release.

“This was a calculated, premeditated act of murder that robbed a mother of her life and young children of their mother,” Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller said.

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Prosecutors said one of the couple’s three children was outside their Florence home on August 12, 2024, waiting in the car for Lopez when he attacked his estranged wife.

Prosecutors said the teen then asked his father “if he had hurt his mother after hearing screaming and crying inside the house,” per the press release.

Lopez was taken into custody the same day of the attack.

“Domestic violence is a scourge on our communities and my office will continue to pursue the strongest penalties available under the law for those who commit such heinous crimes,” Miller said.