Arizona Celebrity Chef Found Guilty of Killing Wife and 2 Young Children on Christmas Day 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. — After years of legal proceedings and heartbreak, an Arizona man — a former chef — has been found guilty of murdering his estranged wife and their two young children on Christmas Day in 2017, bringing a painful but long-awaited conclusion to one of the state’s most shocking domestic violence cases.

The verdict, delivered this week in Maricopa County Superior Court, found the defendant guilty on three counts of first-degree murder for the brutal slayings of his wife, Marla Jordan, age 38, and their children, Avery, 7, and Kaden, 5. The crime, which prosecutors described as “an unspeakable act of rage and cruelty,” occurred inside the family’s north Phoenix home on the morning of December 25, 2017 — a day meant for family, love, and celebration.

According to trial testimony, the couple had been separated for several months following a tumultuous marriage marked by escalating tension and conflict. Marla had recently filed for divorce and was living apart from the defendant, sharing custody of their two young children. In the days leading up to Christmas, she had reportedly expressed concerns to friends and family about his behavior, saying she feared for her safety.

Investigators testified that on Christmas morning, the defendant went to the home under the pretense of visiting the children and exchanging holiday gifts. Instead, prosecutors said, the visit turned into a “scene of unimaginable horror.” Evidence presented in court showed that Marla and the children were attacked inside the home. The defendant fled the scene shortly after, sparking a two-day manhunt that ended when he was located and arrested near Flagstaff.

When police entered the home after relatives requested a welfare check, they found the victims deceased. Forensic investigators collected overwhelming physical evidence linking the defendant to the crime, including DNA and weapon residues.

During the emotional three-week trial, jurors heard testimony from family members, investigators, forensic experts, and first responders. The prosecution portrayed the murders as deliberate and planned, motivated by jealousy, anger, and the defendant’s inability to accept the end of his marriage. They presented text messages and journal entries showing he had made threatening statements in the weeks before the killings.

“This was not a crime of passion,” said Maricopa County Prosecutor Elaine Matthews during closing arguments. “This was a calculated act of control — a man who decided that if he couldn’t have his family, no one would.”

The defense argued that the defendant suffered from a mental breakdown brought on by depression and emotional distress, claiming he acted in a state of temporary insanity. However, the jury rejected that argument, convicting him on all charges after less than a day of deliberation.

As the verdict was read, members of Marla’s family wept quietly in the courtroom, holding hands and clutching photographs of the victims. Outside the courthouse, they spoke briefly to reporters, expressing gratitude to the jury and prosecutors for their work.

“We’ve waited eight long years for this moment,” said Marla’s sister, her voice breaking with emotion. “Christmas will never be the same for us, but today, we finally have justice. Marla, Avery, and Kaden were the light of our lives — and now they can finally rest in peace.”

The case drew widespread attention across Arizona not only for its brutality but also for its tragic timing. The murders took place on a holiday meant for love and unity, leaving an indelible scar on the Phoenix community. Local residents and advocacy groups have since renewed calls for stronger measures to protect victims of domestic violence and to provide better intervention programs for families in crisis.

In a statement following the verdict, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell called the case “a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.” She added:

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the victims. While nothing can undo this tragedy, today’s verdict ensures that accountability has been achieved and that justice will be served.”

The defendant now awaits sentencing, where he faces the possibility of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, depending on the jury’s recommendation in the upcoming penalty phase.

For those who knew Marla and her children, the verdict brings a measure of closure but not healing. Friends have described Marla as a dedicated mother, a beloved teacher, and a woman whose compassion touched everyone she met. Her children, Avery and Kaden, were remembered as bright, joyful, and full of potential — “two little souls who loved life and loved their mom.”

As the community continues to grieve, a memorial service is being planned in their honor, celebrating their lives and the love that endures even in the face of tragedy.

“They were taken from us far too soon,” said one family friend. “But their love lives on — in every heart they touched, in every memory we keep alive. Justice has finally been served, but their light will never fade.”