Nearly four decades have passed since the tragic discovery of 18-year-old Lachelle “Shelley” Waite, whose lifeless body was found in her Phoenix, Arizona home on January 16, 1986. Just as whispers of unresolved grief lingered in the community, a new chapter has opened in this long-cold case following the arrest of 70-year-old Alfred Earl Green last Thursday. This development has revived hope for Waite’s family and the investigators who have tirelessly worked to uncover the truth behind her untimely death.
- Arrest made in 39-year-old cold case
- Alfred Earl Green charged with first-degree murder
- Lachelle Waite found dead in 1986
- Evidence from 2022 led to arrest
- Waite remembered as kind and caring
- Case marks oldest cold case homicide arrest
In the wake of Waite’s murder, detectives faced a daunting challenge: the absence of forced entry suggested that she may have known her killer. Despite their efforts, the investigation stalled, leaving families and friends stunned at the loss of a vibrant life full of promise. Waite, a recent graduate of Maryvale High School, was celebrated for her talents in dance and choir, and was known for her kindness and dedication to tutoring fellow students.
The case went cold as the years passed, but in 2022, new forensic technology offered a glimmer of hope. Evidence collected from the crime scene, which had previously been too degraded for analysis, was subjected to advanced testing. This renewed investigation ultimately led detectives to identify Green as a suspect, highlighting the potential for modern scientific methods to breathe new life into long-dormant cases.
On the day of Green’s arrest, he was already serving a sentence for an unrelated offense. Authorities charged him with first-degree murder in connection with Waite’s death, marking a significant development in this historic case. “Being able to finally let the family know, and also let the community know that after 39 years, we’re still working on these cases, trying to get justice for the victims and their families, speaks to what this unit is all about,” stated Detective Dominick Roestenberg, expressing the profound impact of this breakthrough.
As the investigation unfolds, details surrounding the motive and any direct connection between Green and Waite remain undisclosed, leaving many questions unanswered. However, the arrest is notable as the Phoenix Police Department’s oldest cold case homicide arrest, signifying a commitment not just to justice but to the enduring memories of victims who have long been forgotten.
Waite’s family, who have endured years of unanswered questions, are now approaching a painful yet hopeful process of seeking resolution. “I’ve gotten close with Lachelle’s family over the years and learned what an amazing person Shelly was,” Roestenberg reflected. “She was beautiful inside and out. She was caring, kind, and had an amazing future ahead of her.”
While this arrest brings some closure to a sorrowful chapter, the road ahead will require meticulous legal processes as authorities build their case against Green. The community stands on edge, watching closely as this story continues to unfold, hopeful that justice for Lachelle “Shelley” Waite will finally be served. As investigators piece together the events leading up to that fateful day, the lingering question remains: will the truth about her death and the identity of the person responsible finally emerge from the shadows of the past?
