October 25, 2010
Oct 24, 2010, 12:49 AM | Updated: Jun 5, 2012, 4:22 am
TEMPE, Ariz. – 21-year-old Kyleigh Ann Sousa was studying pre-law at ASU, but her family says she was beginning to gear more towards the medical field. The Jersey girl moved here to go to school and was working at the Tavern on Mill.
On Wednesday, May 26, just before 2 a.m., Kyleigh was walking across the parking lot of the IHOP on Apache Boulevard, Phoenix police detective Icela Brown said.
“As she was walking, the suspect vehicle approached her, (and the suspect) grabbed her purse,” Brown said. “She tried to hold on to her purse.”
Brown says as Kyleigh fought for her purse, the car accelerated pulling her to the ground and dragging her. She died of extensive head injuries.
“We don’t know if she knew him, we don’t know if there was contact prior to her walking out of the IHOP or if she felt comfortable enough when the car drove by that it just didn’t seem like a threat to her,” Brown said. “Those are some of the questions we’ve asked.”
Kyleigh’s family says she was a unique soul. She was a beautiful girl who was loved everyone.
The suspect is a Hispanic male in his mid 20’s with a heavy build. He drove off in a Silver Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger.
Silent Witness is offering a reward of up to $11,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
