37-year-old mother of 2 died after the 38-year-old man she recently “tied the knot” with stabbed her multiple times just because she wanted to get their marriage annulled; man sentenced
Arizona – In a devastating case of domestic violence in Arizona, a 38-year-old man, identified as S. Dennis, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the brutal killing of his 37-year-old wife, a mother of two, identified as A. Grant, during an argument over ending their marriage. Dennis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Grant—a woman described by those close to her as endlessly hopeful and driven. The charge came after Dennis admitted to repeatedly stabbing his wife in a car following a heated dispute about her wanting to annul their brief marriage.
On the morning of September 9, 2024, police were called to the parking lot of a retail store. Witnesses had reported chilling screams for help. There, officers found Grant slumped in the driver’s seat of her vehicle, bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds. Despite the severity of her injuries, Grant managed to identify Dennis as the person who attacked her. In what authorities called a “dying declaration,” she named her husband before losing consciousness. Officers applied pressure to her wounds in an attempt to save her life, and paramedics rushed her to a hospital—but the damage was irreversible. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to witness accounts, Dennis had exited the car moments before emergency crews arrived. One bystander recalled him arguing briefly with someone nearby before grabbing a bag and fleeing the scene on foot. While police were initially unable to locate him, Dennis later phoned 911 himself. During the call, he confessed to stabbing his wife and told authorities where they could find the knife used in the attack. When questioned, Dennis told detectives that the stabbing had followed a heated argument about ending their marriage. The couple had recently tied the knot, yet their relationship had already reached a critical stage. Grant had expressed her desire for an annulment—a decision that, tragically, turned deadly.
The case deeply affected the community, prompting County Attorney R. Mitchell to harshly denounce the crime. In her words, “This wasn’t just a violent crime — it was an act of betrayal carried out by someone who should have been a source of safety, not fear.” She added that crimes like this, committed within the confines of a relationship meant to be built on trust, carried an especially cruel weight. Friends and loved ones remembered Grant as a vibrant force—a woman who chased her dreams without hesitation. According to a GoFundMe page created in her memory, she was an entrepreneur, cosmetologist, author, and model. Her story was described as one of perseverance and belief in oneself, rooted in her hopeful outlook and drive to build a better life for her children.
Grant’s two young children were left behind in the wake of the violence, a stark reminder of the real and lasting cost of domestic abuse. The sentence handed down—18 years in prison—may have brought a measure of legal closure, but for those who knew and loved Grant, the loss remains immeasurable. As the community continues to grieve, prosecutors have made it clear that they intend to pursue justice aggressively in similar cases. The message from the courtroom was unambiguous: violence inside the home will not be overlooked—and those who betray their loved ones in moments of rage will be held to account.
