Key Highlights
- A tip on a GoFundMe page led to the arrest of Michael Anthony Arredondo in Mexico.
- Arredondo is accused of stabbing Evin Paulos about 30 times and killing him in 2017.
- The case remained unsolved until a Mexican person contacted Paulos’s family with information.
- Arredondo was arrested, confessed to the murder, and faces a second-degree murder charge.
A Tip on GoFundMe Leads to Arrest in Deadly Arizona Stabbing Case
The arrest of Michael Anthony Arredondo in Mexico has brought closure to a long-standing cold case that began in 2017 when Evin Paulos, a young man from Phoenix, Arizona, was found dead with over 30 stab wounds. The key to solving the mystery came through an unexpected tip on a GoFundMe fundraising page dedicated to the memory of Paulos.
From Friendship to Tragedy
Evin Paulos and Michael Arredondo were neighbors who had become friends after moving into close proximity in 2016. However, their relationship soured by late 2017. According to court records cited by the Arizona Republic Online, tensions escalated enough for a physical altercation between the two outside a hospital in Phoenix. Despite the fight, Paulos was last seen leaving with Arredondo on June 3, 2017.
The Unsolved Case and the GoFundMe Tip
Paulos’s body was discovered about ten miles from his home on June 4, 2017. His vehicle was later found in Los Angeles with blood evidence inside. The case remained unsolved for years until a tipster reached out to Paulos’s family through the GoFundMe page they had set up for their deceased relative.
This individual sent a message in Spanish suggesting that Arredondo, now believed to be in Mexico, could be the person responsible for the murder.
Paulos’s sister, Eviein, expressed her gratitude and suspicion about the tip through the GoFundMe page. She requested evidence from the tipster before acting on the information. After receiving a picture of Arredondo, she shared it with Phoenix police who coordinated with Mexican authorities to apprehend him.
Arrest and Confession
On October 15, 2023, Arredondo was arrested in Mexico and transferred to the custody of the Phoenix police department. At a news briefing on Monday, Detective Dominick Rostenberg stated that Arredondo had confessed to killing Paulos but did not provide details about his motivation or the number of stabs sustained by the victim.
Arredondo is charged with second-degree murder based on a grand jury indictment. He was ordered held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
Detective Rostenberg emphasized that even after years, the pursuit for justice continues and sent a clear message to any potential suspects: “Even with the passage of time, we’re still looking for you, we’re still hunting you down – justice is going to take its course.”
Paulos’s sister expressed her relief at having closure in this long-standing case. She stated, “At least we’re a little bit at peace,” and added that she could now let go of the anger she had harbored for so long.
Expert Analysis
Experts in forensic psychology suggest that such cases often involve unresolved conflicts or personal grudges that can simmer for years before erupting violently. In this instance, the friendship-turned-enmity between Paulos and Arredondo could have been a factor. However, without more details from Arredondo’s confession, the full context of the murder remains unclear.
The successful resolution of this case through an innovative tip on social media highlights the power of community involvement in solving cold cases. It also underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance and collaboration between local law enforcement, international partners, and the public.
