Phoenix, AZ – Stephen Dennis, 38, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of his new wife, 37-year-old Aliccia Grant, in a Home Depot parking lot in Phoenix.
Argument Over Annulment Leads to Fatal Stabbing
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the fatal incident occurred on the early morning of September 9, when Dennis and Grant, who had been recently married, were involved in a quarrel over an annulment. Witnesses reported hearing a woman scream for help and found Grant sitting in the driver’s seat of her red Toyota Prius, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Dennis was in the passenger seat and fled the scene after briefly arguing with a bystander.
Grant Identified Dennis as Her Attacker
When first responders arrived, they applied pressure to Grant’s wounds while she made a dying declaration to police, identifying Dennis as the attacker.
Prosecutors said Grant’s last words identified Dennis as the person responsible for her injuries.
Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. Following the stabbing, Dennis called 911 and admitted to stabbing his wife, directing officers to the murder weapon, which was later recovered.
A Betrayal Within a Relationship
Dennis explained that the couple had been arguing about their annulment at the time of the incident. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell called the crime an act of betrayal, adding, “There is something especially cruel about a murder that takes place within a relationship that’s intended to be built on trust.”
Aliccia Grant Remembered by Friends and Family
Grant, a mother of two, was remembered for her “endlessly hopeful energy”, and her GoFundMe page described her as a self-made entrepreneur, cosmetologist, author, and model. Her friends recalled her for having a “full heart” and for being someone who chased her dreams with perseverance.
A GoFundMe account detailed Grant’s life: “Aliccia saw no dream as too big. She chased hers with open eyes and a full heart.”
Dennis’ Sentencing and Accountability for Domestic Violence
Dennis’ 18-year sentence comes as part of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office’s continued effort to hold violent domestic abusers accountable.
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