Lawmakers Demand Answers After Inmate Allegedly Kills 3 Inside Arizona Prison

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Summary

3 Tucson prisoners killed: Reform advocate says she warned staff

The ADCRR has no reason to believe that inmate Wassenaar had any involvement in the death of his cellmate, Joseph Desisto, 81, in early November 2024; conversely, inmate Wassenaar sought emergency medical attention for inmate Desisto.

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Yahoo!

How one of Arizona’s most notorious prisoners was able to kill three fellow inmates

In June 2005, following convictions for his involvement in a significant hostage situation, inmate Wassenaar was transferred out of Arizona and moved between several other state DOCs before returning to ADCRR in May 2018, where he was housed as a maximum custody inmate.

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KNXV ABC15

Prisoner who once raped, took guards hostage accused of murdering 3 fellow inmates: Cops

An Arizona inmate already serving 16 life sentences for raping and taking guards hostage during a 15-day standoff two decades ago is now accused of murdering three fellow inmates.

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Arizona Senate panel seeks answers about 3 prison murders

Ricky Wassenaar is the lone suspect in the April 4 deaths of Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage and Donald Lashley at Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson. “I fear for the lives of the correctional officers and staff who are reporting to duty every day and risking their safety,” Sen. Kevin Payne, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, said.

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58m ago

State senator requests full investigation of ADCRR following murder of three inmates at Tucson prison

Earlier this month, three inmates were killed at the Tucson Prison Complex. State Senator Kevin Payne is now launching a probe of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry.

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57m ago

Killing spree at Tucson prison could have been prevented, critics say

Inmate Ricky Wassenaar was named the "sole suspect" in the three killings. He had warned prison officials he was likely to murder someone, a union representative says. One man was killed in his cell, strangled and stabbed in the eye with a shank, he says.

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57m ago

Arizona lawmaker launches probe into ADCRR after murders at Tucson prison

Arizona lawmaker launches probe into ADCRR after murders at Tucson prison. Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage, and Donald Lashley were killed earlier this month. Ricky Wassenaar was named as the suspect, and authorities believed that he acted with an “intent to harm”

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57m ago

Senator Kevin Payne launches probe against ADCRR after three inmates were killed in Tucson

Sen. Kevin Payne sent a letter to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry. Wassenaar is the "sole suspect" in the April 4, 2025, deaths at the Tucson prison complex. An investigation remains ongoing, and further details of the killings haven't been released.

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57m ago

Several of Arizona's prisons closed due to uptick in inmate violence incidents

Visitations at many of Arizona's prisons are closed, while other limitations are in place due to an uptick in inmate violence at several locations. Officials with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) announced actions being taken to "protect staff and inmates, while reducing, curtailing, and discouraging violence"

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57m ago

Several of Arizona's prisons closed due to uptick in inmate violence incidents

The Arizona Department of Corrections has closed some of its most dangerous units. The closures follow the deaths of three inmates in April. The deaths occurred in units with long-standing disciplinary issues, the department says. The state has more than 35,000 inmates in its custody system.

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58m ago

Why are more inmates dying in Arizona's prison system?

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58m ago

'Inexcusable and incredibly troubling': Lawmaker launches investigation into state prisons after 4 inmates were murdered

Republican Senator Kevin Payne is launching an investigation into the deaths. He called the situation "inexcusable and incredibly troubling" Daniel Montoya had been serving time at Lewis Prison in Buckeye. Ricky Wassenaar allegedly killed three other inmates, including his cellmate.

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58m ago