In the early morning hours of July 5, 2024, the life of 28-year-old Desiree Serpas was tragically cut short in a downtown Phoenix hotel room. The mother of two was discovered by a hotel security guard at the Renaissance Hotel near Central Avenue and Adams Street at approximately 3:30 a.m., suffering from a gunshot wound to her back. Despite the immediate response from the fire department, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The hours leading up to the discovery of Desiree's body
were marked by unsettling events. She and her ex-partner, 40-year-old Dominique Jackson, with whom she shared two children, were seen returning to the hotel around 11:30 p.m. after the Fourth of July festivities. Hours later, police were called to the hotel for a separate incident involving Jackson. He was found wandering naked in the lobby, making statements about demons.
Following an investigation, Phoenix Police arrested Dominique Jackson on July 22, 2024, in connection with Desiree's death. He was subsequently booked into jail on one count of murder. Court documents revealed that Jackson was the registered guest of the hotel room where Desiree was found. At the scene, he had reportedly told officers that he believed the victim was a demon. Investigators found a gun registered to Jackson and his clothing in the hotel room, both of which were covered in gunshot residue. The couple had a history of domestic disputes, having been involved in family court proceedings in 2020 and 2021 to establish a parenting plan.
