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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Cold case investigation Austin Tapia Douglas Walker
2. Unsolved murders Austin Tapia Douglas Walker

The 10-year anniversary of a tragic murder in Phoenix was marked this year, where Andrew Ward confessed to stabbing his 12-year-old brother, Austin Tapia. Ward later killed his cellmate, Douglas Walker, in jail. Ward, sentenced to life in prison without parole, had a history of addiction and mental health issues. Despite a previous call expressing concern about Ward’s behavior, the dispatcher could not prevent the tragic events. Ward pleaded guilty to the murders and is currently housed in a behavioral health unit in the Arizona State Prison Complex. For more chilling true crime stories, visit our website.

This year marked the 10-year anniversary of the tragic murder of a 12-year-old boy by his brother in Phoenix, Arizona.

**Details of the Incident**

In March 2014, Andrew Ward made a chilling call to the police, confessing to stabbing his younger brother, Austin Tapia, at their home in Phoenix. The day before the murder, concerns were raised when a child reported to the Phoenix police about a suspicious package Ward had brought into their home.

Less than a month after the murder of his brother, Ward committed another heinous act by killing his cellmate, Douglas Walker, in the Lower Buckeye Jail. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was responsible for running the facility where the tragic incident occurred.

Ward was swiftly sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, ensuring that he remains behind bars for the rest of his life.

**Insight into Andrew Ward’s Case**

On the evening of March 12, 2014, Ward called 911 from a Circle K convenience store, confessing to the brutal murder of his brother at their home. He admitted to stabbing Tapia multiple times, leading to his tragic death. Ward’s chilling statement about “just feeling like killing” sent shockwaves through the community.

Police later found Ward at the Circle K store with a bloody knife and blood-stained clothes, confirming his involvement in the gruesome crime. Ward’s troubled past, including a history of addiction and mental health issues, shed light on the underlying factors that may have contributed to the tragic events.

**Preceding Events**

The day before the fatal stabbing, a child, believed to be Ward’s sibling, called 911, expressing concerns about Ward’s behaviour and a suspicious package he had brought into the house. Despite the child’s plea for help, the dispatcher was unable to intervene as Ward had not committed any crimes or posed an immediate threat.

The chilling 911 call raised questions about whether Tapia’s murder could have been prevented if more decisive action had been taken earlier. However, Phoenix police defended the dispatcher’s actions, stating that they followed protocol and could not predict the tragic outcome.

**Consequences of Ward’s Actions**

Tragically, just three weeks after being arrested for Tapia’s murder, Ward brutally attacked and killed his cellmate, Douglas Walker, while in pretrial detention. Ward’s violent actions shocked the community and raised concerns about the safety of inmates in the correctional facility.

Following the incident, Ward underwent mental health evaluations to assess his psychological state and fitness to stand trial. Despite initially pleading not guilty, Ward eventually admitted to both murders and was sentenced to two life terms in prison.

**Current Whereabouts of Andrew Ward**

Today, Ward is held under medium custody in a behavioural health unit at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson. Since his incarceration in 2017, Ward has had minimal disciplinary issues, with only one infraction for assault on an inmate in 2019.

The tragic case of Andrew Ward serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental health issues and the importance of early intervention and support for individuals struggling with such challenges.