Teen calls 9-1-1 while mother is being murdered by a boyfriend
Reporter: Valerie Cavazos
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -- A desperate call to 9-1-1 as a teen tries to save her mother from being murdered by her boyfriend. Pima County Sheriff's Deputies said it happened in the 6100 block of North Ginger -- near Orange Grove and Camino de la Tierra.
Sheriff's deputies said shortly after midnight 44-year-old Marie Antoinette Mesa was being beaten by her boyfriend. Her 16-year-old daughter rushed in to try to help.
Deputy Dawn Barkman said, "Mom yelled to her go outside and call 9-1-1, which the girl did. she took her 10-year-old cousin who was spending the night. and went outside and called 9-1-1." And when deputies arrived, they found the boyfriend, 36-year-old Armando Lopez, coming out of the home, covered in blood.
Inside, deputies found the mother fighting for her life after being stabbed a number of times. She was rushed to the hospital, where she died shortly after arriving.
Nearby neighbors were shocked to hear that someone they knew and saw often was murdered. Heidi Jaenick lives two doors down. She described Mesa to KGUN-9, "She was just a beautiful person. A great neighbor. One of those neighbors that you could grab sugar from. Super friendly and reliable."
Neighbors said they believe Mesa had one or two older children who were not living in the home -- and a grandchild. Jaenick said, "I know that she was a great mom to them and they're definitely going to miss her. And I can't imagine life without my mom."
A few of the neighbors who spoke to KGUN9 said they did not know Lopez and they believe this was a recent relationship. He's now in the Pima County Adult Detention -- charged with first degree murder. Lopez has a prior record -- 2 assault charges with the intent to injure and 1 resisting arrest charge -- dating back to 1999 and 2004.
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