On the evening of December 23, 2006, Heather Quan, a 21-year-old female, was at her Phoenix, Arizona apartment with her boyfriend, Ryan Waller. An unexpected and violent encounter shattered their quiet night when two men, Richie Lee Carver and his father, Larry Lloyd Carver, arrived seeking revenge for a prior dispute with Waller. When Waller opened the door, the Carvers attempted to force their way inside.
In the struggle that ensued at the doorway, Richie Carver shot Waller in the head.
After incapacitating Waller, the father and son duo entered the apartment and fatally shot Heather Quan, who was resting on the couch. It is believed she was killed because she was a witness to the assault on her boyfriend. Before leaving, the Carvers stole several weapons and a computer from the residence. They left both victims for dead, but Waller miraculously survived the initial attack. When Waller did not show up for Christmas dinner, his concerned parents contacted the police. Officers arriving at the apartment discovered Quan's body and found Waller still alive, though severely injured. Despite his critical condition, Waller was able to identify his assailants to the authorities.
The investigation led to the arrest of both Richie and Larry Carver. Richie Carver, who was a former roommate of Waller, was convicted in June 2008 of felony murder, burglary, aggravated assault, and misconduct involving weapons, receiving a sentence of natural life in prison. The case against his father, Larry Carver, was initially complicated when his wife invoked marital privilege and refused to testify. This led to a legislative change known as 'Heather's Law,' which amended the marital privilege statute. Subsequently, Larry Carver was found guilty on multiple counts, including the murder of Heather Quan and the attempted murder of Ryan Waller, and was also sentenced to life in prison.
