Man apprehended two decades after the killing of 15-year-old Arizona girl

A man has been arrested on murder charges exactly 20 years after the alleged killing of 15-year-old Elena Lasswell in Phoenix, Arizona. Authorities identified 37-year-old Sergio Reyes as a suspect in 2014, a decade post-murder, but he was living in Mexico at the time. Over the years, investigators collaborated with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and extradite Reyes. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail on Wednesday in connection with Lasswell’s death on July 10, 2004.

Detective Dominick Roestenberg emphasized the significance of this day, stating, “It’s been 20 years to the day since Elena Lasswell was murdered inside her home. This is a momentous occasion not just for the Phoenix Police Department but, more importantly, for Elena’s family.” He noted that they have been waiting two decades for justice, and through diligent efforts, Reyes has finally been brought back to face charges.

Lasswell was found dead in her home, despite first responders’ attempts to save her. Initially, detectives lacked concrete evidence about her killer. However, in 2012, cold case detectives employed DNA techniques that led to a profile matching Reyes. By the following year, he was identified as the primary suspect, and a Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted him in 2014 while he was still in Mexico.

Reyes now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder during a crime, premeditated first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, sexual assault, and kidnapping. Jail records indicate his bond has been set at $1.5 million, and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 17. This arrest marks a significant milestone in a case that has haunted the community for two decades, bringing hope for closure to Lasswell’s family.