PHOENIX — The widower of Metro Phoenix's former chief prosecutor was suspected of fatally shooting a woman he was dating and her mother on Christmas Eve before killing himself.
Phoenix police say 47-year-old David DeNitto allegedly killed 47-year-old Maryalice Cash and 83-year-old Cynthia Domini after an altercation at a home where a holiday gathering was taking place. An investigation into the deaths is underway.
DeNitto was previously married to former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, who died in late April 2022 from unspecified health complications. Adel, the first woman elected Maricopa County Attorney, served in that position from October 2019 until her resignation in March 2022.
She resigned amid criticism of her performance, including the dismissal of 180 misdemeanor cases because charges were not filed before the statute of limitations expired. She was also scrutinized as to whether a recognized alcohol abuse problem had affected her ability to do the job.
County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who succeeded Adel, said in a statement that it was “impossible to understand a tragedy like this. Words cannot adequately express the flood of grief. I ask the community to join me in praying for the affected families and especially for the children of Allister.”