Man sentenced to prison for killing his wife in north Phoenix

The Brief

PHOENIX - A man who pleaded guilty to murdering his wife in north Phoenix has been sentenced to prison.

Stephen Dennis, 36, received 18 years behind bars, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said on Aug. 18.

The backstory:

On Sept. 9, 2024 , 37-year-old Aliccia Grant was found stabbed inside a car in a parking lot near Cave Creek and Thunderbird Roads . She was taken to a hospital where she later died.

Aliccia's husband, Stephen, was also inside the car but reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived, witnesses later told police.

"Witnesses reported that Dennis exited the vehicle, argued with a bystander, then fled the scene on foot after grabbing a bag from the car," MCAO said. "The witnesses rendered aid to the victim while first responders were enroute.