On October 6, 2023, Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced that a Yavapai County jury found Donovan Larriba-Tucker, 31, guilty of the First-Degree Murder of a 16-year-old Chino Valley High School student. County Attorney McGrane commended the jury for their careful consideration of the matter and praised Deputy County Attorneys Kristen Sharifi and Kellen Marlow for their meticulous preparation of the case. Mr. McGrane stated, “Any murder is tragic, but the murder of a high school student is even more so. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who commit violence against others. I want criminals on notice that my office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue anyone who would do harm to our community’s children.”
The murder occurred on the night of June 29th, 2018. The Chino Valley Police Department began a thorough and comprehensive murder investigation after receiving a 911 call from a
distraught woman who reported the victim had been stabbed multiple times. Law enforcement officers arrived within minutes and immediately rendered lifesaving measures on the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Chino Valley officers conducted a massive manhunt and located Larriba-Tucker early the next morning. The investigation revealed a number of juveniles had met in a field to settle a dispute over a girl. The victim was not involved in the dispute and was simply a bystander. Larriba-Tucker stabbed the victim seven times as the victim yelled that he had nothing to do with the dispute. Evidenced showed Larriba-Tucker had premediated the attack, fabricated an alibi, and attempted to change his appearance after the murder. At trial, multiple witnesses recounted the details of the murder. After the verdicts, prosecutor Kristen Sharifi noted, “The witnesses displayed great courage during trial. They were all children at the time of the murder, and had to relive the tragic and brutal killing of their friend. The victim was a wonderful young man who was loved not only by his family but countless members of our community. The defendant’s actions robbed the victim of his bright future.”
Sentencing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on November 9, 2023, before the Honorable Krista M. Carmen of the Yavapai County Superior Court. Larriba-Tucker is facing a mandatory natural life sentence in the Arizona State Prison, and will not be eligible for commutation, parole, or release from confinement on any basis.
