Double-murder suicide leaves 2 men, 1 woman dead near 20th Avenue, Hadley Street
Phoenix police are investigating what they said is a double-murder suicide that occurred late on Sunday at an apartment near 20th Avenue and Hadley Street.
The victims were identified by police on Monday as Eric Sands, 38, and Danica Aiken, 29.
The suspect was identified as Taffari Celestine, 24.
Police officers responded to the shooting around 11:50 p.m., where they found Sands who had been shot to death outside an apartment.
According to police, a witness said they saw someone force Aiken inside an apartment and heard shots after.
Police said a special assignments unit was called in to investigate the apartment, where they found Aiken who had been shot to death and Celestine dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation indicates Celestine, who was inside the apartment, was the suspect and the ex-boyfriend of Aiken, police said. Sands was Aiken’s current boyfriend.
An investigation is ongoing, police said.
According to Aiken's friend, a candlelight vigil will be held at her home on Monday at 8 p.m.
Services for Arizonans in crisis include:
Dial 2-1-1 at any time to reach the free 2-1-1 Arizona information and referral service and connect with free resources available locally throughout the state.
Solari Crisis & Human Services offers free crisis lines 24/7/365 — dial 800-631-1314 for Maricopa County and 877-756-4090 for Northern Arizona. Help is also available via text message 2-10 p.m Mon.-Fri. and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. by texting “hope” to 4HOPE.
The National Suicide Prevention Line is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255 in English and 888-628-9454 in Spanish. It's free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones.
La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center's crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500.
Teen Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 800-248-8336 statewide.
The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678.
Resources for Arizonans experiencing domestic violence include:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Chrysalis: 602-944-4999, noabuse.org.
In Arizona, people can call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 602-279-2900 or 800-782-6400 or visit its website, acesdv.org/helpline.
The Phoenix police website, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolence, has a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.
Reach breaking news reporter Sam Burdette at sburdette@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Double-murder suicide leaves 3 dead in Phoenix apartment
