WOMAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING HER MOTHER

Published on October 01, 2026

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Just after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report from a woman stating she had shot her mother near the White Spar Trailhead in Prescott. When deputies arrived, they located the victim, 49-year-old Stephanie Leiker of Buckeye, on a trail with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The suspect, 28-year-old Ashley Leiker of Dewey, reportedly left the area but was taken into custody after turning herself in. Following further investigation and evidence collection, YCSO detectives arrested Leiker for first-degree murder.

No further information is available at this time. The investigation remains ongoing.