Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced the sentencing of Vaughn Alexander Wilson, 31,  to 35 years for the murder of his wife.

On the evening of July 13, 2021, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a man who stated he had shot and killed his wife. When officers entered the home, they found Wilson’s wife lying in the hallway with three gunshot wounds. Findings at the scene indicated the victim was shot in the chest and shoulder while getting away, and then in the head while she lay on the floor.

During their investigation, the police learned that the incident stemmed from an argument about their marriage, during which the victim stated she wanted a divorce. The defendant shared that he killed his wife because he could not live with the thought of her being with someone else.

“Far too often domestic violence victims are killed when they choose to break free from their abuser,” shared County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Every act of seeking justice against an abuser is a powerful declaration that their actions will not go unchallenged and that they will be held accountable. My heart goes out to the victim’s loved ones who have endured so much over the past three years.”

In January of this year, Wilson pled guilty to one count of 2nd degree murder, a Class One Felony, and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class Three Felony. He was sentenced to 25 years for the first count and 10 years for the second, to be served consecutively.