ARIZONA NEWS

Tempe man sentenced to life in prison for murdering girlfriend

Apr 19, 2024, 3:07 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm

Repeat killer sentenced to life in prison after murdering girlfriend...

A repeat killer who murdered his girlfriend in Tempe last year was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, authorities said. (Facebook File Photo/Maricopa County Superior Court)

(Facebook File Photo/Maricopa County Superior Court)

PHOENIX — A repeat killer who murdered his girlfriend in Tempe years ago was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, authorities said.

Gary Lennall Cox, 60, killed her in a Tempe hotel on Aug. 7, 2020, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

The medical examiner’s office found various injuries on the victim’s body, including extensive bleeding in all regions of her brain, bruises on her chest and neck and around 20 rib fractures, MCAO said.

Prosecutors also said police found empty bleach bottles on the scene, along with blood stains on the sink, tub and towels, which implied Cox tried to clean the crime scene.

The brutal murder was Cox’s second time killing an intimate partner, prosecutors said. He killed his wife in 2001, MCAO said.

Cox murdered his girlfriend less than four months after being released from prison after serving time for his wife’s murder, prosecutors said.

Actions of repeat killer “the essence of evil,” MCAO says

Cox was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence on Feb. 13, 2024, MCAO said.

His official sentencing on Friday gave him a natural life sentence in prison for first-degree murder, along with these punishments:

  • 28 years for kidnapping
  • 4.5 years for tampering with physical evidence
  • 3.5 years for possession or use of a narcotic drug from a separate criminal case

Prior to the murder, Cox abused his girlfriend, MCAO said. He gave her a black eye, isolated her in her motel room and didn’t let her talk to neighbors, prosecutors said.

MCAO urged the public to report abuse to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

38 minutes ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

2 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

4 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

5 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

6 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

Tempe man sentenced to life in prison for murdering girlfriend