(Phoenix, Arizona) – The office of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced Estevanico Palmares (DOB 08/82) has been sentenced to 58 years in prison for two counts of second-degree murder for killing his wife and a roommate. Because Palmares was a prohibited possessor at the time of the killings, he received a concurrent sentence for one count of misconduct involving weapons. 

The sentencing comes approximately two months after a jury found the defendant guilty of all charges. Documented previous domestic violence history between Palmares and his wife was presented in court. Two days prior to the killings, Palmares’ wife bought the handgun that was used in her murder. On May 18, 2020, Palmares shot and killed his wife and the couple’s roommate. 

“A man is supposed to protect his wife but instead he killed her, and he took her away from us.  He needs to go away for a long time so he doesn’t do this to someone else,” said the victim’s sister during the sentencing today.

“This case is an example of the harm that comes to a family and a community when a prohibited possessor with a violent history gains access to a firearm. This person will serve the maximum prison sentence, so he is unable to hurt someone else,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.  

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