In the summer of 2015, the life of 45-year-old April Louise Engel was tragically cut short in what Mesa, Arizona police described as an apparent murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made by her adult daughter around midnight on June 2nd at an apartment complex near Greenfield Road and University. April had recently initiated divorce proceedings from her husband of 11 years, 40-year-old David Engel.
Just a week before her death, April had filed for divorce and had reportedly expressed
fear of her husband to a friend. This friend had offered her a place to stay, and while she had taken that offer for a night, she eventually returned to her apartment. It is believed that David was waiting for her upon her return.
Authorities found both April and David Engel deceased at the scene. The investigation led police to believe that David had taken April's life before taking his own. Neighbors in the apartment complex were shocked to wake up to the presence of police and crime scene units, with one resident expressing their surprise at such a violent event happening so close to a police station. The incident left the community in mourning and highlighted the potential dangers of domestic turmoil.
