PHOENIX — A suspect connected to a 2020 murder has been arrested at the Douglas Port of Entry.
Alfredo Gutierrez is now facing several charges, including second-degree murder, for allegedly killing Lee Rice and putting his body into a barrel.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Hombre sospechoso de brutal asesinato en Phoenix en el 2020 fue arrestado por las autoridades en el puerto de entrada de Douglas
Rice was 34 years old when he was killed around Oct. 3, 2020, according to court records. Police found his body in a barrel inside Gutierrez's Phoenix home. Rice was zip-tied around his neck, knees and ankles.
Despite the graphic nature of his death, the killer responsible has never been brought to justice.
Third time's the charm
After Rice's death, Phoenix PD interviewed a witness who claimed Gutierrez was responsible. The witness said Gutierrez admitted to losing his temper and hitting Lee before hiding the body.
Police reports show in interviews with detectives, Gutierrez denied killing Lee.
Gutierrez was arrested, but by October of 2022, right before his trial was set to begin, the case was dismissed. The state's key witness had been deported.
Then, in early 2023, Gutierrez was arrested again. Again, by June, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office dismissed the case because they could not track down the witness.
“He didn’t deserve this," said Colleen Rice, Lee's mom.
Since the day her son was killed, Colleen Rice has been seeking justice. She's been through significant ups and downs as she's navigated the many changes in her son's case, questioning the justice system after twice believing the man accused of killing her son was going to trial.
Rice has started speaking out about her son's case, even writing letters to the county attorney and a judge previously assigned to the case.
“We’ve made enough noise that somebody listened," Rice said.
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On Monday morning, Rice got a call from her victim's advocate she wasn't sure would ever come.
“She goes, 'He’s been re-arrested,'" Rice said.
On Feb. 9, Gutierrez was indicted by a grand jury on second-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault charges, according to records obtained by 12News.
On February 17, a spokesperson for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office confirmed Gutierrez was arrested at the Douglas Port of Entry for an outstanding warrant.
“I’m trying to stay calm. Trying to stay hopeful," Rice said.
Gutierrez is now being held on a $1 million cash bond.
Court records show Gutierrez claims residency in Mexico and is believed to have still been dealing drugs.
“There's only one priority. Justice for Lee," Rice said.
Rice, who showed up to every one of Gutierrez's court hearings in the past, is now clearing her calendar and preparing to do it all over again.
“He's got to know I'm there. I'm not going anywhere," Rice said.
Gutierrez is expected to appear in court Tuesday morning for an arraignment. It's unclear if the state has since tracked down its key witness.
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