Chandler police: 59-year-old strangled her mom to death

CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Chandler police officials said Tuesday night a 59-year-old woman has been arrested, in connection with the strangling death of her mother.

According to a statement, Elizabeth Ann Ramirez called 911 at around 1:00 p.m., reporting that she had strangled her mother. When officers arrived at a home on the 5000 block of W. Jupiter Way, they found an 80-year-old woman dead in her bed. The woman has been identified as Bertha Gutierrez, 80.

Ramirez, police officials say, was at the home when police arrived, and was taken into custody. Ramirez told police she "just snapped" after a fight with her mother.

According to court documents, Ramirez was arrested for DUI, a day before this incident. Ramirez, according to court documents, said she killed her mother, because she wouldn't let her borrow her car, and that she had to walk a mile to her home. After her arrest, Ramirez told her adult son that she didn't plan this, and that it just happened.

Court documents also said when asked if her mother was dead, Ramirez replied with "I hope so".

Ashley Pinhero, who has lived next to Gutierrez for three years, said she still can't believe something so tragic happened, just a few doors down.

"It was mostly shocking because our kids play around here, and I know that the woman who hurt her didn't live here, but it's just you don't really know everybody," said Pinhero.