ARIZONA NEWS

Man kills mother in San Tan Valley, calls 911 to fake kidnapping

Oct 30, 2024, 1:29 PM | Updated: 4:45 pm

The Pinal County Sheriff's Department posted this photo from a San Tan Valley neighborhood where a ...

The Pinal County Sheriff's Department posted this photo from a San Tan Valley neighborhood where a woman was kidnapped and killed on Oct. 30, 2024. (Facebook Photo/Pinal County Sheriff's Department)

(Facebook Photo/Pinal County Sheriff's Department)

PHOENIX – An 18-year-old man is in custody Wednesday after police say he faked a kidnapping and allegedly killed his mother in San Tan Valley, authorities said.

A jogger reported finding a body, later identified as 38-year-old Mary Collier, in a farm field near Gantzel Road and Skyline Drive just after 9 a.m., according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).

About 10 minutes later, a 911 call came in about a kidnapping in a neighborhood on the west side of the field, in the 700 block of W. Vineyard Plains Drive.

Investigators determined that the 911 call was made by her son, who said Collier had been kidnapped. Collier had injuries consistent with being stabbed and cut.

What is known about San Tan Valley kidnapping/homicide suspect?

Authorities identified Collier’s 18-year-old son as the suspect.

Deputies found him with self-inflicted wounds at the home where the kidnapping was reported, which is about 45 miles southwest of downtown Phoenix in the far southeast Valley.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment and will be booked into jail after he is released, PCSO said.

No other details were made available. The investigation into the San Tan Valley kidnapping and homicide case is ongoing.

We want to hear from you.

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

Arizona News

Scottsdale Airport...

Danny Shapiro

Scottsdale Airport runway shut down following accident

The Scottsdale Airport runway was shut down on Monday afternoon due to an accident, authorities said.

17 minutes ago

new Surprise fire department West Valley Arizona...

Serena O'Sullivan

Surprise completes 1 new fire station, buys land for another

Surprise Fire Station 309, the new Surprise fire department at the north side of Cactus Road at Perryville Road, became operational last week.

42 minutes ago

Republican state Rep. Matt Gress is questioning the legality of the lease-purchase deal that bailed...

Kevin Stone

Arizona lawmaker raises questions about legality of Isaac School District lease-purchase deal

An Arizona lawmaker is questioning the legality of the lease-purchase deal that bailed the Isaac School District out of its financial crisis last month.

2 hours ago

research funding...

Kevin Stone

Arizona joins lawsuit to stop Trump research funding cuts that could cost state millions

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration to protect medical and public health research funding.

3 hours ago

The Arizona Constitution currently provides legislative immunity for traffic violations....

Kevin Stone

Arizona Republican wants lawmakers to follow same traffic laws as everyone else

An Arizona lawmaker introduced a resolution that would refer a constitutional amendment ending legislative immunity for traffic violations to the ballot.

5 hours ago

Officials: WM Phoenix Open 2025 more peaceful than last year...

Serena O'Sullivan

This year’s WM Phoenix Open upgrades made event smoother, more respectful, organizers say

Event organizers put in place a variety of changes during the WM Phoenix Open 2025 after weather conditions and crowd issues last year.

6 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.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Man kills mother in San Tan Valley, calls 911 to fake kidnapping