Crime Solvers Central
CSC
268 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
James McClain death by force case profile photo

James McClain

Case from Phoenix, AZ dated Mar 23, 1991

Victim Details

James McClain

Male

Phoenix

AZ

1991-03-23

65

James

McClain

07/21/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
In the spring of 1991, a string of burglaries in the Phoenix area took a tragic and violent turn, culminating in the death of 65-year-old James McClain. Approximately two weeks after the murder of another resident, Christine Mertens, two half-brothers, James McKinney and Charles Hedlund, broke into McClain's home. They found him asleep in his bed and shot him in the back of the head at close range with a sawed-off rifle.

After ending McClain's life, McKinney and Hedlund proceeded to burgl ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for James McClain, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Cronkite News - Arizona PBS: Supreme Court to hear appeal of double-murderer on Arizona's death row - Cronkite News - Arizona PBS
  • Supreme Court upholds death sentence for Phoenix double-murderer
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 3 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    I’ve been reading through the details of the James McClain case, and my thoughts really go out to ... ...Read More
    03/02/2024
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for James McClain

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Phoenix, Arizona

    Alexander Luis Cruz Perez death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Alexander Luis Cruz Perez

    Death: Sep 19, 2019
    Alexander Luis Cruz Perez, a 19-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot on the night of September 1 ...Read More
    Ronnie Roper death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Ronnie Roper

    Death: Jan 20, 2025
    In the early evening of January 20, 2025, a dispute at a Phoenix apartment complex escalated into a a ...Read More
    Patrick Bauer death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Patrick Bauer

    Death: Aug 17, 2023
    On August 17, 2023, Patrick Bauer, a 47-year-old male, died in Phoenix, Arizona. A beloved husband a ...Read More
    Mohamed Toure death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Mohamed Toure

    Death: Apr 26, 2024
    In the daylight hours of a Friday afternoon in west Phoenix, a tragedy unfolded that cut short the l ...Read More
    Jorge Valenzuela Ramirez death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Jorge Valenzuela Ramirez

    Death: Dec 08, 2022
    In the late hours of a Thursday night in Phoenix, Arizona, a violent altercation at a fast-food rest s ...Read More
    Aidan Apel death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Aidan Apel

    Death: Jul 28, 2024
    In the late morning hours of July 28, 2024, a sense of unease settled over the 1400 block of South 5 ...Read More
    Damian Lee Marler death by force case in Phoenix, AZ

    Damian Lee Marler

    Death: Sep 17, 2024
    In the late evening hours of September 17, 2024, the life of 25-year-old Damian Lee Marler was tragi g ...Read More