Gilbert woman claims suicide pact after allegedly shooting passenger, torching car on Loop 101

PHOENIX — A woman has been charged with first-degree murder and arson after troopers found her near a burning vehicle on Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway and discovered a body inside, according to court records and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Troopers responded around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a vehicle fire on the southbound Loop 101 near Union Hills Drive in Glendale.

When they arrived, they found a 23-year-old Gilbert woman on the ground next to the driver’s side of the burning 2012 Nissan Versa, apparently suffering from smoke inhalation.

Witnesses reportedly had to forcibly pull her away from the vehicle, DPS said.

After putting out the fire, troopers discovered a body that had been shot in the front passenger seat. Investigators later found a gun inside the vehicle and determined the woman had been driving, according to DPS.

Chambers was medically cleared at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center before being charged.

While at the hospital, Chambers reportedly admitted to the shooting explaining that the victim asked her to light him on fire and shoot him in the head, according to court records.

During an interview with detectives, Chambers admitted that she and the victim had a plan to die by suicide using a firearm she had purchased the day before in Chandler, court documents state.

She told investigators she drove north on Loop 101 with the victim, held the steering wheel with her left hand and used her right hand to hold the gun to the victim’s head before firing a round that struck him, according to the probable cause statement.

After pulling over, Chambers told detectives that she attempted to shoot herself, but the gun jammed. She set the car on fire, but the extreme heat and smoke forced her to climb out, court records state.

Chambers was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, drive-by shooting, discharge of a firearm within city limits and arson of a structure or property, according to court records.

A Chambers’ bond at $1 million cash only. Her first court appearance is April 29.

The male victim was identified by an Arizona driver’s license but his name was not released.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on April 22, 2026.

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