PHOENIX - Aftermath: Murdered in Phoenix is a docuseries exploring what life has been like for the family and loved ones of three Phoenix murder victims.
Destiny McClain, David Denogean and Itzel Espinoza are all profiled. The victims were all killed in cold blood and their unresolved crimes leave those families with a void in their lives that can never be replaced.
FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum dives into each of these stories from a broader perspective.
Why are some of these murders unsolved? Why were victims targeted? What challenges does the Phoenix Police Department face? And for the victim's families, how do you say goodbye?
Ep. 1: Destiny McClain
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Aftermath: Murdered in Phoenix | Ep. 1
Who killed Destiny McClain? A young woman is murdered in a drive-by shooting while waiting at a food truck. Her mother returns to the scene of the crime, seeking justice.
What we know:
Unlike most 23-year-olds, Destiny McClain would much rather enjoy a movie night at home than go out to bars.
On July 17th, 2021, she planned to meet up with some friends in Phoenix. Such a rare occasion that Destiny booked it on her calendar weeks prior.
The young woman, described as a homebody, wrapped up the night with a friend at a club called Karamba.
After leaving Karamba, they got in line outside at a food truck just before 3:30 a.m.
Destiny was hit by a stray bullet.
People gather to remember woman killed outside Phoenix nightclub
Family, friends, and others who saw the story and wanted to support the family gathered in the West Valley to remember a girl who was killed outside a nightclub in Phoenix over the weekend.
What they're saying:
Detectives are still searching for the shooter.
"Police aren’t sure if the shooting was random or perhaps a more targeted attack," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Brian Bower.
"There's nothing that our investigators have evidentiary wise to show that she was the target of this particular shooting. But that doesn't mitigate the fact that the detectives are going to do everything they possibly can to try to identify who is responsible. This case is very unique because all we have to go off of is a vehicle," said Bower.
The video of the suspect's vehicle believed to be involved is not very clear in detail.
The make and model, unknown.
What’s obvious is that it’s a four-door, dark-colored sedan.
"I can't even tell you the number of times I've watched that video," says her mother, Brenda McClain.
Images of the suspect's vehicle were first released less than a month after Destiny’s murder.
Now, more than three years later, no new leads have been uncovered.
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Phoenix Police release new video of shooting outside nightclub that left a 23-year-old woman dead
Destiny McClain was outside the Karamba nightclub in Phoenix when she was struck by gunfire. Police officials have released new video that could possibly help solve the murder. FOX 10's Danielle Miller reports.
What you can do:
Brenda started the Our Destiny, Our Future Foundation, which awards scholarships to students working hard on their education while making a positive impact in their communities.
The foundation does back-to-school drives and Christmas toy drives to help the less fortunate youth.
Also, you can find Destiny’s memorial right in her front yard.
"I was out here talking to my neighbor the other day, you know, I had the shade. But it is peaceful," Brenda said.
Sitting with Brenda, you do sense just that – peace.
Under a glowing tree, there are remnants of who Destiny was.
Stories behind the trinkets, like her beloved Winnie the Pooh.
Why you should care:
Brenda is moving forward to find her own destiny.
"As hard as it was to lose Destiny, through losing Destiny, I found my purpose," said Brenda.
Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).
Ep. 2: David Denogean
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Aftermath: Murdered in Phoenix | Ep. 2
A cowardly crime takes place while David Denogean walks his dog. The suspect shoots him to death and runs off in the dark of night. The beloved teacher’s family is still grieving his death.
What we know:
David Denogean, a high school track coach, was shot and killed on a sidewalk outside a restaurant north of 12th Street and Bethany Home Road just after 6 p.m. on Nov. 25, 2022 in Phoenix.
Denogean, who was 30 at the time, was shot while walking him and his girlfriend's dog.
Surveillance footage released by Phoenix Police showed what happened just before the murder. A man could be seen running up to Denogean from behind before pointing a gun at him.
The backstory:
FOX 10 covered Denogean's death over the last few years as the Phoenix Police Department searches for answers in his death.
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David Denogean: Loved ones remember murder victim
Friends and loved ones are remember a Valley teacher and seeking justice two years after the man was shot and killed. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean reports.
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Family honors slain David Denogean in Christmas toy drive
The family of David Denogean, a man killed in an unsolved Phoenix shooting, collected Christmas toy drive donations in his honor on Dec. 16.
What they're saying:
"My name is Jordan Barajas, and I was the partner of David Denogean for over three years," she said, smiling.
She describes how their romance started just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and blossomed throughout it.
"David and I met on Tinder. It was September 2019, and we went on our first date out in Phoenix. We went out to a restaurant. We were having a good time, so we decided to go out to Cobra Arcade, and we played some video games against each other. It was really fun because we were both really competitive," she said. "It just jived really well, and then we just kept going on more dates from there and the rest is history."
Even with a new romance in the midst of a global pandemic, love won for Jordan and David.
And you can’t forget their dog, Evie.
"He would look at me, and he's just like, ‘don't you love our home?’ and I'm like, ‘I do. I do love our home.’ So it just became a very special place for the three of us," Jordan said.
Frank Denogean is David's father.
A son following in the footsteps of his parents, 30-year-old David was a substitute teacher and track coach at Camelback High School in Phoenix.
"David really enjoyed history and government. So being a teacher was natural for him and the coaching aspect, I think, just followed along with that," Frank said.
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"We haven't had much time": Family still dealing with David Denogean's death
It has been months since David Denogean, a staff member and track coach at Camelback High School in Phoenix, was shot and killed. Loved ones are still trying to come to terms with the coach's death, as the search for the person responsible continues. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports.
His mother Judy echoes those sentiments.
"He was very excited about helping the youth, and he used to talk about his kids all the time," she said. "It made me feel good because I know I used to come home and sometimes talk about some of my kids and Frank the same," she added.
What you can do:
Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).
Ep. 3: Itzel Espinoza
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Aftermath: Murdered in Phoenix | Ep. 3
17-year-old Itzel Espinoza was a popular, aspiring influencer until she got into a fight with a woman who police say took things too far. Itzel’s accused killer remains on the run.
What we know:
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PD: Woman found shot to death in car in South Phoenix
Phoenix Police are investigating after a woman was found shot to death in an alley near 35th Avenue and Southern early Saturday morning.
On the morning of July 3, 2021, it was reported that 17-year-old Itzel Espinoza was found shot dead inside a car.
The Lexus car did not belong to Itzel: authorities say the car was stolen. It was found in the area of 35th Avenue and Southern.
At the root of Itzel's senseless murder was a fight with another girl who was later identified by police as Lindsey Aguilar.
According to police, there had been previous issues brewing between Itzel and Lindsey. Court documents say on the night of the murder, the two teens got into a physical fight. Itzel ran to a parked car nearby, got inside, and locked the door. Investigators say Lindsey followed and banged on the window, demanding Itzel to come out.
Investigators say there was another person involved: 19-year-old Jesus Padilla. He was supposed to be Itzel’s friend, but he handed Lindsey a 9mm handgun at her request. Police say she then fired into the front passenger window several times, killing Itzel.
The backstory:
Itzel, who aspired to be a social media influencer, was about to start her senior year at Dysart High School in El Mirage. Her father, Eduardo, said she started hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Court records reveal Padilla had committed armed robbery a little more than a month before Itzel's death. In July 2023, Padilla took a plea deal, admitting to handing Lindsey the gun that took Itzel's life. He also admitted to instructing a 16-year-old boy to drive off with Itzel, and to leave her body in that car.
Padilla was subsequently sentenced to 13 years in prison for reckless manslaughter.
As for Lindsey, police say they know where she is. Per Phoenix Police Sergeant Brian Bower, it is believed she is in Mexico.
Lindsey is described by investigators as a woman who is 5'3" tall, weighing 110lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.
Police say Itzel's case remains open, as Lindsey is still on the run.
What they're saying:
After a night of not being able to reach Itzel, her father Eduardo reported her missing to the police.
"I was waiting and waiting and waiting," said Eduardo. "She never replied."
Eduardo said when he learned of the incident, he was in denial at first.
"I was kind of, like, in denial because if it would be her, they would be saying, you know, a teenager because she was a teenager still," said Eduardo. "But one of the first articles or news I heard, it was that (they) we're talking about finding a female, a woman in a vehicle in an alley, and deep down inside, I already knew it was my daughter, but I didn’t want to, like, you know, I didn’t want to believe it."
During Padilla's sentencing, Itzel's family members read their victim impact statements.
"A week before she was killed, she posted on Snapchat, this was her brother," said Itzel's stepmother, Maricella Saldana. "I didn’t understand that because she had only known him a few months. A week later, he’s doing nothing, standing there as Lindsey Aguilar is beating her."
Padilla himself also spoke out during sentencing.
"I want to apologize to both her and her family for what happened the morning of July 3, and I send my heart out to the family and apologize for the damage I’ve done and allowed to happen," Padilla said. "Itzel never deserved this. She was one-of-a-kind, and I truthfully don’t think words can fully describe how wonderful and amazing she really was."
While Padilla is serving time in prison, Lindsey remains on the run.
"It's like a pain never goes away," said Eduardo. "You have to kind of learn how to live with it."
Family seeks answers after Phoenix teen was found shot, dead in a car
The teen, identified as 17-year-old Itzel Espinoza, was set to start her senior year of high school later this year. Now, her family wants justice.
By the numbers:
According to Phoenix Police data, the department's homicide clearance rate is 72%, from 2009 to 2024.
In 2023, Phoenix Police reached its highest clearance rate in 10 years, at 87%.
It should be noted that homicides from months or even years prior that are finally solved, reflect clearance when cases are officially closed.
What you can do:
Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).