Man accused of killing ex-girlfriend in Phoenix after threatening her family
Dec 1, 2022, 10:08 AM
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX – A suspected Phoenix gang member is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend after making threats against her family and kidnapping a family friend while trying to find her, authorities said.
Taliyah Kizzee, 22, was fatally shot Nov. 11 near 27th and Glendale avenues, the Phoenix Police Department said in a press release Wednesday.
Investigators determined that Montel Alexander, 22, was a person of interest in the case, police said.
Alexander is a documented member of the Park South Neighborhood Crips gang, according to court documents.
He was arrested in Glendale on Nov. 17 and booked into jail on multiple counts, including kidnapping, making gang threats and prohibited possession of a weapon.
While he was in custody, he was interviewed about Kizzee’s death. More counts were added on Nov. 19, including homicide, police said.
Witnesses told police Kizzee broke up with Alexander because he was “controlling and physically abusive,” according to the probable cause statement for his arrest.
Alexander allegedly forced a family friend to get into his SUV at gunpoint on Nov. 8 and drove around looking for Kizzee.
“The defendant also sent threatening messages, and voice messages to the victims on social media platforms. … The family played back voice recordings from the defendant stating he was going to murder his girlfriend and her family if they did not disclose her location,” the probable cause statement says.