Arrest Made in Long-Standing 1986 Murder Case in Phoenix

By CBS News

After nearly 40 years of uncertainty, police have apprehended a suspect linked to the murder of an 18-year-old in Phoenix, Arizona.

Last Thursday, authorities detained Alfred Earl Green under allegations of murdering Lachelle "Shelley" Waite. The Phoenix Police Department has charged him with first-degree murder, according to a statement released on Friday.

Waite's body was discovered on January 16, 1986, and at the crime scene, investigators noted no signs of forced entry, suggesting she might have known her assailant. At the time, items were reported stolen from her residence.

Despite having a strong suspect in mind, insufficient evidence stalled the case for nearly four decades.

In 2022, advancements in forensic testing allowed for re-examination of the original crime scene materials, leading detectives to pinpoint 70-year-old Green as a potential suspect.

Currently serving time unrelated to this crime, Green was formally arrested and charged with first-degree murder regarding Waite’s death.

Detective Dominick Roestenberg expressed relief in updating Waite's family and the larger community on the persistent efforts to resolve cold cases and deliver justice.

The police have not disclosed any motive or clarified any specific relationship between Green and Waite.

Waite was a recent Maryvale High School graduate active in dance, choir, and peer tutoring.

"Over the years, I have built a bond with Lachelle’s family and discovered the exceptional nature of Shelly," said Roestenberg. "She was delightful both in spirit and in appearance, with a promising future cut short."

This arrest marks the resolution of the department’s oldest unresolved homicide.