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Jay Hungerford, 30, has been arrested and charged in the second-degree murder of Joan Sirhan, 68, Apache Junction Police Department said.
Police responded at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, to the report of an assault at an apartment complex in the 800 block of South San Marcos Drive.
“When the officers arrived they discovered 68-year-old Joan Sirhan lying on the ground. She was unconscious and had sustained extensive injuries to her face and head,” AJPD Cpl. Marshall Harshman said.
“Ms. Sirhan had reportedly just visited her daughter and grandchildren and was walking to her car in order to go home when she was attacked. Ms. Sirhan was transported to Banner Desert Hospital where she was pronounced deceased,” he said.
While officers were at the scene they were able to identify a suspect, 30-year-old Jay Hungerford, police said.
Mr. Hungerford was arrested and transported to the Pinal County Detention Center where he is being held and awaiting his initial appearance on the charge of second-degree murder, police said.
“Hungerford and Sirhan had no previous contact with each other prior to the incident and it appears to be an unprovoked attack,” Cpl. Harshman said.
The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident, police said.
