In the spring of 2023, the life of 45-year-old Michael Anthony Amarillas was violently cut short in Phoenix, Arizona. On the morning of March 15th, a man entered the sober living facility where Amarillas was staying, near 35th Avenue and U.S. 60, and shot him multiple times. Amarillas was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:22 a.m., left a family shattered and a community searching for answers.
In the wake of the shooting, Phoenix police began their search for the perpetrator, who fled the scene in a silver Jeep Gladiator truck, estimated to be a 2013 to 2023 model, distinguished by its large tires and dark rims. Surveillance footage captured images of the suspect, described as a Hispanic or Native American male, standing between 5'6' and 5'10' tall and weighing between 200 and 240 pounds. At the time of the murder, he was wearing a white construction helmet. Despite these details, the case has grown cold, and no arrests have been made, leaving Amarillas' loved ones in a state of prolonged grief and uncertainty.
Michael Amarillas is remembered by his family, including two young daughters, as a man who came from a loving home. His mother, Teresa Moreno, and sister, Denise Amarillas, have spoken of the enduring pain of their loss and their desperate plea for anyone with information to come forward. They are left with the memories of a life that, as his mother expressed, was unfairly taken. The family continues to hope that justice will be served for a man who they feel mattered deeply.
