In the early morning hours of November 29, 2023, a violent home intrusion in Prescott, Arizona, claimed the life of 24-year-old River Nesta Maize. A male individual, later identified as Taj Stephens, a 47-year-old from Yuma, called 911 at approximately 6:53 a.m., stating that he had shot two people at a residence on Peace Lane.
Upon their arrival, Prescott Police officers discovered Stephens outside the home with superficial head wounds.
Inside, they found River Maize with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen and 29-year-old Cheyenne Miller of Prescott with a gunshot wound to her chest. All three individuals were transported to the Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Stephens' injuries were not life-threatening, and he was treated and released. Miller's injuries were critical, and she was flown to a Phoenix-area hospital for treatment before eventually being released. Tragically, River Maize's injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of both Taj Stephens and Cheyenne Miller. Stephens was charged with burglary and misconduct with weapons. Miller faced charges of burglary, sale or transportation of narcotic drugs, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, and misconduct involving weapons. Both were taken into custody at the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office as the investigation into Maize's death continued.
River Nesta Maize, born on July 3, 1999, in Huntington Beach, California, had moved with his parents to Prescott in 2005. He was known for his kind and gregarious nature, his contagious smile, and inspiring laughter. An aspiring artist and a lifelong art lover, he worked as an assistant manager and art supervisor in his family's auction business, Reata Pass Gallery. His life was remembered by a loving family, including his parents, grandparents, and sister, as well as a wide circle of friends and community members who mourned the loss of a young man taken by a senseless act of violence.
