Erica Stapleton is an investigative journalist at 12News.
Her work typically focuses on crime and justice and the broad range of people impacted by these systems. Her reporting has prompted changes statewide, like new legislation for Arizona’s mental healthcare system. Some of her latest investigations include the Cost of Crisis series, a deep dive into homelessness in Arizona. The series exposes a wide range of issues, including where money is being spent, legal problems with Phoenix’s handling of homelessness and gaps in care for pregnant homeless women.
Erica is the host and creator of the 12News investigative true-crime podcast, Locked Inside, which reveals how a murder at a group home could have been prevented. In 2023, the Locked Inside podcast won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Other notable coverage includes an investigation that uncovered state prison cells hitting more than 100-degrees, the infamous Lori Vallow Daybell case, and Dark Side, an Emmy-winning special report that profiles how social media played a role in a mass shooting at an outdoor mall in 2020.
Prior to moving to the 12News I-Team full-time, Erica was a general assignment reporter for 12News where she covered everything from wildfires along the West Coast, a COVID patient receiving a double-lung transplant, and Suns fans.
Erica joined 12News in October 2019 after reporting and anchoring in Greensboro, NC and Bangor, ME. She is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication.
In her free time, Erica loves cooking, running, and hiking all around Arizona and beyond. She brews her own kombucha and would welcome any news tips or podcast recommendations you might have. You can email her at estapleton@12news.com or connect on social media at @ericareportsall.