After nearly four decades, the family of Lachelle “Shelly” Waite is closer to justice as Phoenix police arrested a suspect in connection with her 1986 murder. This marks the city’s oldest cold case homicide arrest, bringing long-awaited answers to a case that had remained unsolved for 39 years.
On January 16, 1986, 18-year-old Shelly Waite was found murdered in her home near 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, suggesting she knew the perpetrator. Personal belongings were stolen, further complicating the investigation. Shelly had recently graduated from Maryvale High School, where she was an active student involved in dance, choir, and tutoring.
At the time, detectives had a lead but lacked sufficient evidence to make an arrest. It wasn’t until 2016 that Phoenix PD’s Cold Case Homicide Unit revisited the case, identifying a piece of evidence that was previously untestable. With advancements in forensic technology, DNA testing was conducted in 2022, leading investigators to 70-year-old Alfred Earl Green.
On February 20, 2025, while Green was serving time for an unrelated crime, he was formally arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved the charges.
Detective Dominick Roestenberg, who worked closely with Waite’s family, expressed relief in finally delivering justice. “After 39 years, we’re still working on these cases, trying to get justice for the victims and their families,” he said.
This arrest highlights the dedication of cold case detectives and the power of evolving forensic science in solving long-unsolved crimes.
