PINETOP-LAKESIDE, Ariz. — A 45-year-old Arizona man has been arrested in a decades-old homicide case, according to the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department.
In November 1996, Jody Hemphill, 28, was found stabbed to death inside the Mountain Edge Tapes & CD store in Lakeside.
Police said new evidence was recently obtained, leading to the arrest of Whiteriver resident Romeo Massey Jr.
The Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department believes an additional person of interest is involved in this case that is not in custody.
If you know this person, or have any information about this case, don't hesitate to contact Detective Ricky Bunch at (928)368-8800 or the WETIP anonymous Hotline at 1-800-782-7463.
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Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.
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