Arrest made in 1986 death of 18-year-old in Arizona
Phoenix police said it is the oldest cold case homicide arrest made by the agency.
PHOENIX — Phoenix police have arrested a suspect in the 1986 murder of an 18-year-old woman.
Alfred E. Green, 70, was arrested this week for his alleged involvement in the death of Lachelle Waite, who was found dead in her home near 59th Avenue and Thomas Road on Jan. 16, 1986. Property was stolen from the woman’s home.
Phoenix detectives had a strong investigative lead in determining who murdered the Maryvale High School graduate but did not have enough evidence to make an arrest at the time.
In 2022, evidence from the case was submitted for advanced DNA testing and Phoenix police were eventually able to identify a suspect decades after Waite’s death.
At 39 years, Green’s arrest is considered the oldest cold case homicide arrest for the Phoenix Police Department. A criminal indictment was filed against Green in Maricopa County Superior Court last month.
During the suspect’s initial appearance before a judge, prosecutors said Green is accused of strangling the 18-year-old victim to death and stealing items that he then immediately sold. Prosecutors further mentioned that Green has “an extensive criminal history.”
When asked to respond to the prosecutor’s allegations, Green told the judge,”I know she did a lot of lying.”
Green’s cash-only bond was set at $1.5 million.
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