Man allegedly confesses to 2023 cold case killing of woman at Phoenix park

PHOENIX — A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend at a central Phoenix park more than three years ago, police announced Thursday.

Andre Jermaine Gentry Nicholes was booked on one count of premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Karissa Danyelle Hamilton, 29, who was found with a gunshot wound at Steele Indian School Park on Feb. 5, 2023, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Officers had responded to a call about an injured person at the park, located at 300 E. Indian School Road, just after 11 p.m. that night. Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene by the Phoenix Fire Department.

After detectives exhausted all leads, the case was transferred to the department’s Cold Case Homicide Squad, police said.

Hamilton was a mother to a young son.

Nine months after her murder, family members held a press conference pleading for answers.

“She left a big void,” her aunt, Patricia Brienza, said at the time.

A $10,000 reward had been offered for information leading to an arrest.

A break in the cold case

The break came on March 27, when Phoenix police officers arrested Nicholes during a separate, unrelated investigation.

During an interview, Nicholes made statements linking himself to Hamilton’s killing, according to police. Detectives said they learned Nicholes had been Hamilton’s boyfriend at the time of her death.

Nicholes was booked into the Maricopa County jail on multiple charges, including unrelated theft charges.

Nicholes is being held on $2 million bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled April 6.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can call 480-TESTIGO.

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