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Christine Mertens

Case from Phoenix, AZ dated Mar 10, 1991

Victim Details

Christine Mertens

Female

Phoenix

AZ

1991-03-10

40

Christine

Mertens

Yes

07/03/2026

Case Description

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In the spring of 1991, a series of violent home invasions in the Phoenix area took a fatal turn, forever altering the lives of two families. On March 10, Christine Mertens, a 40-year-old woman, was brutally murdered in her Chandler home. What began as a burglary escalated into a horrific act of violence that left a community in fear and a family shattered.

The perpetrators, half-brothers James Erin McKinney and Charles Hedlund, forced their way into Mertens' residence with the intent to b ...
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Links to Additional Sources (5)

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  • Cronkite News - Arizona PBS: Supreme Court to hear appeal of double-murderer on Arizona's death row - Cronkite News - Arizona PBS
  • Christine Mertens, age 40 - National Gun Violence Memorial
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    Forum Posts (3)

    I came across Christine Mertens’ case today, and it just makes me think about how important commun... ...Read More
    12/11/2024
    I’ve been reading about Christine Mertens’ case, and I keep thinking about the enormous courage ... ...Read More
    10/28/2024
    Hey everyone,
    I’ve been thinking a lot about the loss of Christine Mertens and how her commun... ...Read More
    11/09/2023
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