Key Highlights
- Affected family didn’t give up hope for eight years as they turned to God.
- Arrest of 34-year-old Michael Anthony Arredondo was made after a tip from a stranger in Mexico led police to him.
- The alleged killer, who was Paulos’ neighbor, confessed to stabbing the victim 30 times during a fight.
- A cold case involving the murder of 25-year-old Evin Paulos has been solved after eight years by Phoenix Police.
Eight-Year-Old Cold Case Solved in Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ – In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement and the grieving family of Evin Paulos, an 8-year-old cold case was finally resolved with the arrest of Michael Anthony Arredondo. The victim’s sister, Eviein, expressed relief after years of searching: “Yeah both my brothers, this is their picture, its been faded out, it’s been eight years,” she said.
The Crime and Aftermath
On June 2017, 25-year-old Evin Paulos was found dead near Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek Road in North Phoenix. The victim had suffered 30 stab wounds during a violent altercation with Arredondo, his neighbor at the time. Eviein described the haunting images that still play in her mind: “That’s why I can’t get over it.
Because it’s literally like flashes in my head. I didn’t see it myself. I’m just imagining all the stab wounds, every single one.”
Tracking Down the Suspect
Despite the extensive efforts of Phoenix Police and U.S. Marshals, Arredondo managed to evade capture for years until a fortuitous tip came in from a random stranger in Mexico who recognized the alleged killer. The man contacted Evin’s family through a GoFundMe page, leading to an investigation that culminated in Arredondo’s arrest.
Justice Served After Eight Years
Detective Dominick Roestenberg of Phoenix Police highlighted the complexity and perseverance required to solve such cases: “It was a tremendous amount of work,” he said. Arredondo confessed to the murder, and is currently being held on a $750, 000 bond. Eviein expressed both relief and lingering sorrow: “You know, he gave my brother a one-way ticket to heaven so, hey, I’m not mad at that.
I’m just disappointed in how humanity is. At least we’re a little bit at peace. I can let go of the anger that I’ve had for so long and just try to concentrate on life.”
The successful resolution of this case underscores the resilience of law enforcement and the importance of community involvement, even when pursuing cold cases across international borders.
