Man who killed woman, left baby on side of West Valley road in 2018 gets life sentence

PHOENIX — A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and abandoned her baby on the side of a West Valley road in 2018 received a life sentence, authorities announced Friday.

Antwaun Ware, now 27, previously pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder and endangerment in the high-profile case, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Ware was driving with Jasmine Dunbar, 21, and her 7-month-old baby to get a paternity test when he killed her on March 6, 2018, according to prosecutors.

A couple found the girl in a car seat on the side of the road that night near 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road.

Dunbar’s family told Phoenix Police Department investigators she was last seen with Ware.

Ware was arrested after investigators determined he killed Dunbar a few miles away from where the baby was found.

“To the people who rescued this baby, I say thank you. This child is alive today because of your heroic actions,” County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release.

What did convicted murderer do to receive life sentence?

According to court records filed when he was arrested, Ware admitted to beating up Dunbar and leaving her in a field near 107th Avenue and Camelback Road.

He also told police that he left the baby where the couple found her because he saw people he thought would take care of her. He then returned to where he left Dunbar and found that she was dead.

He said he then lit her body on fire using gasoline and a cigarette and watched the flames burn out.

Man who killed Jasmine Dunbar also helped smuggle drugs into jail

Ware found more trouble while in custody, conspiring with a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detention officer and other inmates to smuggle drugs into the Lower Buckeye Jail.

The officer, Andres Salazar, was arrested in November 2022. He later pleaded guilty to one charge and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Ware pleaded guilty in the drug case in December 2024.

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