An Arizona family is desperately searching for answers after a woman’s death. Maria Ernestina Lewis, a mom of seven, was found fatally shot outside in her Mesa neighborhood. According to her family, the mom, who frequently went for long walks, went out late that night and never made it home. They believe they know who killed her, but police aren’t releasing information, even to the family. It has to be frustrating for them to be kept in the dark about Lewis’ death as they try to process and grieve. Hopefully, police will have gathered enough information soon to be able to set people’s minds at ease.
According to Fox 10 Phoenix, Mesa police have released very little information about the killing, which took place about 2 a.m. February 28, 2026. Police said “officers responded to a residence near the intersection of E. Kinetic Dr. and S. Reliance Way for a welfare check call for service. Once on scene, officers located an adult with a gunshot wound. The adult was later pronounced deceased on scene,” the outlet reported.
Although authorities have identified 32-year-old Lewis as the victim, they have only said her death is under investigation. Police have not released if they have a suspect or indicated whether any charges will be filed.
Lewis’ husband plans to hire an attorney, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. Detectives are saying the investigation can go in different ways, which is why they’re not sharing information, AZ Family reported. Authorities are allegedly waiting for forensic results before sharing any information about a suspect, cause of death, or motive, but Lewis’ family claims she was shot by her neighbor.
When reporters from AZ Family went to the crime scene on March 2, they noted a doorbell camera was missing from the home where the shooting reportedly took place. It also appeared that paver steps were missing from the porch. The home belongs to one of Lewis’ neighbors.
Lewis’ husband spoke with the outlet off camera, telling them his wife often took walks around their community. Neighbors said it wasn’t uncommon.
“I’m sick, and my stomach is like this, and, you know, it’s like, I cannot believe it,” neighbor Luz Correa shared. “Oh my God, like we walk every night, three miles at night, all over. It’s safe.”
Lewis and her husband, Albert Mendivil, share seven kids between the ages of 11 and 2, he told KPNX.
“I see red and blue lights on the back of the apartments and I came running out and look over. And that’s when police pulled me back,” he told the outlet.
Mendivil said although investigators have confirmed his wife’s death, they haven’t given him any additional information.
“I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what made her go over there,” he told KPNX. “Right now I’m just thinking she’s still out there.” He called his wife “an amazing woman,” adding that “She was bright, had a beautiful smile. We had a good life together.”
A GoFundMe account has been started for Mendivil and the children as they move through this tragedy.
Both AZ Family and Fox 10 Phoenix reported that officials from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirmed an employee has been placed on administrative leave in connection with the killing of Lewis, but no additional details have been given.
