On a cold December morning in 2014, the body of 17-year-old Brianna Lois Wells was discovered in a south Phoenix alley. A resident taking out their trash on December 29th made the grim discovery behind an address on Mobile Lane and immediately contacted the authorities. The young woman, a junior at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, had sustained obvious signs of trauma, and her death was quickly ruled a homicide.
Brianna, who was born on March 25, 1997, was described by friends as protective, loyal, and playful. She had a love for animals, especially horses and dogs, and even volunteered at an animal shelter. Her aspiration was to one day become a K-9 police officer. She was an active member of her Quaker community and had attended Mountain Friends Camp for three years, where her leadership skills were beginning to blossom.
Despite the efforts of Phoenix police, who interviewed family, friends, and neighbors, the case grew cold. Investigators have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with her murder. Initial reports varied, with some stating she had been beaten while others later confirmed she had been shot multiple times before her body was left in the alley. The case remains a painful and unresolved tragedy for her friends and family, with the person or persons responsible for her death still at large.
