Arizona Department of Corrections
Arizona police have arrested 35-year-old Cleophus Cooksey Jr., a serial killer who authorities say is responsible for the murders of nine people during the latter part of 2017.
Police announced that Cooksey Jr. was being accused of killing nine people on January 18. Cooksey was already in the custody of authorities after being arrested in December 2017 for allegedly killing his mother and stepfather. Back in December, Cooksey, who has three violent felony convictions on his record, was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and a weapons charge.
Cooksey has previously served time for an armed robbery committed in November 2000 and manslaughter committed in January 2001 and was released on July 28, 2017.
via CBS Phoenix:
Once Cooksey was detained, officers went into the apartment and discovered the bodies of a man and woman. Both had been had been shot to death. Officers took Cooksey in for further questioning, but did not learn much.
“Cooksey stated he did not know what occurred and ultimately requested an attorney,” according to his court paperwork. Cooksey, who has three violent felony convictions on his record, was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and a weapons charge.
Police said Cooksey knew the two victims and although investigators have not released their names, court paperwork indicates that they were Cooksey’s parents. During his initial court appearance late Monday morning, a cash only appearance bond was set at $1 million. Cooksey is due back in court on Dec. 22 for a status conference and then again on Dec. 27 for a preliminary hearing.
Cooksey is accused of abducting a woman in Glendale, sexually assaulting and killing her, before dumping her body. A second victim is the brother of Cooksey’s ex-girlfriend.
The murders reportedly included victims in a variety of demographic groups, occurred at various locations and lacked a unifying pattern or method. The victims also seem to be random, shot during meetings set up on the internet.