Overview
- A family member found 75-year-old Fred Celaya unresponsive at a central Phoenix residence, and officers discovered obvious trauma and blood at the scene.
- Phoenix police say a 26-year-old man, identified as Mateo Celaya, was at a local hospital and reportedly told staff he wanted to confess, which prompted officers to detain him.
- Investigators could not interview the suspect immediately because of a medical condition, and he was later arrested and booked on one count of second-degree murder and held on roughly $750,000 bond.
- Court records reported by local outlets say the suspect told police he stabbed the victim with scissors after days of drug use and an alleged struggle, and officers recorded finding a knife, scissors and drug paraphernalia at the apartment.
- Authorities have not formally confirmed the exact relationship between the two men or an official motive, and the investigation and criminal case are ongoing with further court dates expected.