Pinal County man who murdered estranged wife by stabbing her 43 times sentenced to life in prison

Javier Lopez pleaded guilty last month to stabbing his estranged wife, Christina Lopez, 43 times, killing her, according to prosecutors.

BY JEFF VINTON

Sep 16, 2025, 9:16 AM Updated: 11:57 am

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PHOENIX — A Pinal County man who killed his estranged wife by stabbing her 43 times will spend the rest of his life behind bars, prosecutors announced Monday.

Javier Lopez pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder for killing Christina Lopez in April 2024, according to a media release from Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller.

He was sentenced on Friday to natural life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Details of stabbing that killed Christina Lopez

According to prosecutors, on April 11, 2024, Javier Lopez went to Christina Lopez’s house, which was located near Felix and Judd roads in Florence, and stabbed her 43 times, killing her.

During the attack, one of the couple’s three children, a teenage son, was waiting outside in a car.

When Javier Lopez returned to the car, the boy asked him if he had hurt his mother, as he had heard screaming and crying coming from inside.

Javier Lopez was taken into custody on April 12, 2024, and pleaded guilty to the murder on Aug. 12.

“This was a calculated, premeditated act of murder that robbed a mother of her life and young children of their mother,” Miller said in the release. “Domestic violence is a scourge on our communities and my office will continue to pursue the strongest penalties available under the law for those who commit such heinous crimes.”