TUCSON, Ariz. — An Arizona family is mourning the death of 22-year-old Zahriya Moreno, who they say fell victim to domestic violence.
KVOA is told she died at Banner Hospital. It was a sad day for many, as family, friends and loved ones gathered at the hospital to honor Moreno.
While the situation is still under investigation, KVOA has been told that Moreno was severely injured in a domestic violence situation with her ex-boyfriend, identified as 25-year-old Angelito Adrian Olivas on Monday morning.
Olivas was arrested on charges of felony domestic violence aggravated assault and felony endangerment but was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
KVOA spoke to Moreno's grandparents, who remember their granddaughter as someone who was grateful, funny, strong and a light to be around.
While they are devastated, they find peace knowing Zahriya is reunited with her twin brother, Izac, who died in a vehicle crash back in 2021.
"She was a very strong girl, I just couldn't believe how strong she was. She just graduated recently from esthetician school, she had goals that now somebody took away from her. Just so many memories, its going to be so hard," Moreno's grandparent said.
The investigation is ongoing.
UP TO SPEED
What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.
