In a quiet north Phoenix neighborhood, a family was irrevocably shattered on the evening of January 18, 2026. Inside their home near 29th Avenue and Bell Road, 41-year-old Sam D Ertebati was found dead, the victim of a suspected murder-suicide. The tragedy unfolded in the master bedroom of the residence, leaving behind a scene of sorrow and unanswered questions.
The couple's two sons, aged 11 and 12, became concerned when their parents remained in their bedroom late into the day.
They reached out to a family member who then made the grim discovery. Sam and his 42-year-old wife, Celestina Ertebati, were both found with gunshot wounds. A handgun was located nearby. The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced both individuals deceased.
Phoenix police detectives were called to the home to begin their investigation into the sequence of events that led to the deaths. Based on the initial evidence, authorities believe that Celestina Ertebati shot her husband before turning the weapon on herself. Friends of the family were left in shock, with one describing Sam as a good man, husband, and father. While the investigation is ongoing, police have indicated that no one else was harmed in the incident and they are not seeking any other suspects. The case has brought to light previous domestic turmoil, as court documents from 2023 show that both Sam and Celestina had filed orders of protection against each other, citing allegations of verbal and physical abuse.
