FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. - It’s one of the lingering mysteries in Dwight Lamon Jones’ murder spree: Why did he kill an elderly couple, one of them blind, last weekend in their Fountain Hills home?
Police had said the deaths Sunday might be connected to Jones’ rage over his almost decade-long divorce case with his ex-wife.
But based on 12 News interviews and new information Wednesday from Scottsdale police, we can answer one part of that mystery: Dwight Jones and 70-year-old victim Mary Simmons were tennis partners.
There is no evidence of a specific connection to the divorce case.
Scottsdale police said Wednesday:
"Mary Simmons and Jones met 4 to 5 years ago through tennis and would occasionally meet to play at local parks. We believe that Jones and the victims had a social/recreational relationship."
The police statement doesn't explain why Jones killed Simmons and her 72-year-old partner, Bryon Thomas.
There had been rumors that Simmons was somehow related to Connie Jones, Dwight Jones’ ex-wife.
Prior to all the killings, the suspect made a cry for help via Twitter to media outlets, including 12 News and CNN, in what seems like an effort to tarnish his ex-wife's reputation.
Jones Tweeting: "Hey @12News like Dr. Nassar and Dr. Tyndall, Dr. Connie P Jones of Scottsdale my son!”
Connie Jones told 12 News through a spokesman that she didn’t know the two Avondale victims.
There had been rumors that Simmons, who a friend says volunteered for domestic violence organizations, testified on Connie Jones’ behalf.
But Simmons’ name doesn’t appear in the court record. Jones’ attorney said through a spokesman that Simmons wasn’t connected to the case.
Connie Jones did say her husband viewed himself as a tennis pro. The Arizona Republic reports Dwight Jones worked as a tennis coach.
Friends say Simmons, a 70-year-old retiree, was a top-notch competitive tennis player.
She was “always on Court 1” - the featured court during tournaments, said Sharon Hall, a Rio Verde resident and friend of Simmons for 10 years.
“She was a strong woman, strong tennis player and strong girl,” said Hall, who was part of a regular tennis group with Simmons.
Hall said Simmons had to cut back on her tennis recently because she had to care for Thomas, who was left blind after recent brain surgery.
“Mary was his caretaker, and they had hoped for some new treatment,” Hall said.
Thomas was a New Jersey native and an U.S. Air Force veteran.
He was a social worker for the State of Arizona’s Division of Aging and Adult Services for 15 years, retiring in 2005.
Another part to the mystery unfolded Wednesday when Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said the Fountain Hills home was burglarized.
Police also said they found a .40 caliber handgun in the Extended Stay Hotel where the suspect was staying. They've linked the weapon to the four separate murder scenes.