Crime
Marana Police Investigating Murder-Suicide After Mikaela Durfey Found Shot Dead, Ex-Husband Brian Schnurr Found Dead Nearby
MARANA, Ariz. — Authorities in Marana are investigating a tragic murder-suicide that left a woman and her ex-husband dead Monday night while two young children were found unharmed nearby, according to the Marana Police Department.
Police identified the victim as 36-year-old Mikaela Durfey, who was found shot to death in the driveway of a residence located in the 6700 block of West Alegria Drive near the Silverbell and Cortaro area.
Investigators say Durfey’s ex-husband, 37-year-old Brian Schnurr, fled the scene after the shooting.
Shortly after responding to the homicide call, officers located a blue Dodge Challenger connected to the incident parked less than a mile away in the parking lot of Lil Abner’s Steakhouse. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered two children under the age of 4 who were found unharmed and safely recovered by authorities.
Police later searched the surrounding desert area near the vehicle and located Schnurr deceased from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Marana Police confirmed the shooting at the residence is being investigated as a homicide and said the two deaths are connected. Officials have not publicly disclosed the exact relationship of the children to the victims, but confirmed the children are now safe.
The incident has shocked the Marana community as detectives continue working to piece together the circumstances leading up to the deadly violence.
Authorities have not yet released additional information regarding a possible motive or the events preceding the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Marana Police said further details are expected to be released as investigators continue processing evidence and conducting interviews.
Crime
24-Year-Old Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr Dies in Fatal Jeep Incident in Midland, Christian Rojelio Zubia Arrested
MIDLAND, Texas — Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr., a 24-year-old man from Odessa, died after an incident involving a Jeep Wrangler in Midland on Thursday night, October 8, 2026. The driver, a 30-year-old Odessa man, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, according to the Midland Police Department.
Police said officers responded at approximately 10:46 p.m. Thursday to a reported crash involving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and a pedestrian in the 1700 block of Rankin Highway.
During the preliminary investigation, witnesses told authorities that Soto Navarrete had jumped onto the hood of a black Jeep Wrangler. Investigators allege that the driver accelerated while turning southbound, causing Soto Navarrete to fall from the vehicle and sustain fatal injuries.
Authorities identified the driver as Christian Rojelio Zubia, 30, of Odessa.
According to police, Zubia left the scene after the incident. Officers later located him with assistance from the Odessa Police Department.
Zubia was arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with Soto Navarrete’s death. The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the legal system.
The Midland Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident, including the events leading up to Soto Navarrete’s fall from the Jeep.
Authorities have not released further details about what prompted the encounter or whether additional charges may be considered.
Police confirmed that Soto Navarrete’s next of kin has been notified of his death.
Soto Navarrete’s death has left his family and loved ones grieving. His passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a dangerous incident can result in a fatal outcome.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as authorities continue reviewing the case.