Man gets life in prison for triple killings at Phoenix apartment that was set on fire

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man was sentenced Monday to life prison in the killings of three people at a Phoenix apartment that was set on fire.

Chase Scott Christman, 31, of Mesa had previously pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges stemming from the July 2024 deaths of Merissa Honeycutt, 27; Anthony Frederickson Ceccarelli, 25; and Samuel Lott, 37.

Prosecutors say Christman had gone to the apartment in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area to get drugs and steal money.

R.J. Parker, an attorney representing Christman, didn’t return a phone call from The Associated Press.

The bodies were found by firefighters who responded to a blaze at the apartment. Authorities said the bodies and the apartment weren’t significantly damaged in the fire.

Neighbors told investigators they heard screaming coming from the apartment. Police say one victim was fatally stabbed, another was shot to death and another was both shot and stabbed.

Authorities say the victims likely fought back during the violent attacks and that Christman had cuts on his hands when he was arrested. Prosecutors say blood found in the apartment was matched with Christman’s DNA.