Arrest made more than a decade after Phoenix man was killed during home invasion

More than a decade after Augustine Valenzuela was stabbed to death during a home invasion in Phoenix, a suspect has been arrested.

BY JEFF VINTON

Jan 15, 2026, 11:41 AM

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PHOENIX — More than a decade after a Phoenix man was stabbed and killed during a home invasion, an arrest has been made in the case.

Fernando Gaitan, 43, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of 53-year-old Augustine Valenzuela in 2014, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Fernando Gaitan is accused of killing Augustine Valenzuela during a home invasion in 2014. (Photo: MCSO)

Gaitan was charged with murder, burglary, aggravated assault and kidnapping. His bond was set at $1.7 million, according to jail records.

Details of deadly home invasion in Phoenix in 2014

On July 31, 2014, Augustine was stabbed after multiple people broke into his home near 41st and Maryland avenues, according to police.

During the home invasion, Augustine’s wife and his stepsons were held at gunpoint. By the time police arrived, the suspects had fled.

Augustine was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Police then began searching for three suspects, according to AZCentral. However, after gathering and processing multiple pieces of evidence, the trail went cold.

Years after the incident, cold case detectives took another look at the case and linked Gaitan to it through DNA.

Officers from the Street Crimes and Fugitive Apprehension Investigation units located Gaitan on Wednesday and took him into custody.

No other arrests have been made in this case.