AZ Lynsey Chainhalt, 20, gunned (19 rounds) down in her car, Phoenix, 2003, *fresh initiative*

[dotr]

•Jul 6, 2020

12NEWS.com
Phoenix police hope new Hot Desert-Cold Cases program can reel in tips
July 6 2020
''PHOENIX — Phoenix Police is hoping to clear its stack of unsolved murder cases – some of them decades old.
The department is launching a new program called Hot Desert – Cold Cases to garner new leads and finally bring justice to families. Judi Petersen is hoping this renewed focus can finally bring answers to her daughter’s murder.''

“She was a pistol. She was smart. She was responsible,” Petersen told 12 News in 2018.
Lynsey Chainhalt was only 20 years old when she was gunned down back in 2003. Seventeen years later, no one has come forward with information police need to solve the case
In June of 2003, Lynsey was the designated driver for friends when they were approached by an SUV the I-17.
“Confronted them on the freeway. Threw a bottle at them. Ended up chasing them,” said Petersen.
The chase ended at 20th Street and Grovers. Police say that’s when three Hispanic males got out and fired 19 rounds into the car. Killing Lynsey and injuring the others.''

 

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June 14 2019
Woman shot & murdered in unsolved 2003 road rage

''It was around 2 a.m. on June 14, 2003, when 20-year-old Lynsey Chainhalt and her friends were driving on State Route 51 near Northern when three people in dark blue Yukon or Tahoe started throwing beer bottles at her car, after a verbal altercation. Police say Lynsey tried to get away from SUV, getting off the freeway at Bell Road.

Near 20th Street and Bell Road, her car was rammed by the SUV and crashed into a homeowner's front yard. The SUV passed them and then turned around, driving back to the car where they got out and opened fire on Lynsey and her friends''.

''Rescue workers removed the four injured people from the bullet-riddled car. Two of the victims were treated and released from the hospital. Another, 22-year-old Ryan Jones, continues to suffer from the critical injuries he was given that day, including a bullet that remains in his head, behind his left eye.''
''Lynsey Chainhalt was a student at Paradise Valley Community College where she was studying to be a nurse.''

''Police still consider Ricardo Sanchez Molinares and Fermion Gomez as persons of interest in this matter.'

 

[dotr]

Aug 24 2020
Phoenix Police: Hot Desert, Cold Cases Series Profiles Lynsey Chainhalt

''One of the few crimes without a statute of limitations is a homicide. The case remains open until it is solved. However, as time passes, the ability to solve the crime begins to diminish.

When leads go cold and it seems a case cannot be solved, the detectives of the Phoenix Police Cold Case Homicide Unit take over. Often, information from the community can be effective in helping detectives move a case forward.

This summer, the Phoenix Police Department has launched a new initiative to bring attention to cold case homicides. "Hot Desert, Cold Cases" will be a series of videos and other posts on the department's social media profiles, highlighting cold cases. In addition, Silent Witness is upping the reward for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the suspect/s of the crime. The reward will be $5,000 for the first four cold cases.

"Hot Desert, Cold Cases" begins with a profile of Lynsey Chainhalt's case. Lynsey was barely 20 years old. Her mom, Judi Petersen, described her as smart, determined, a tried and true friend, with a great heart. That is why Judi and the Phoenix Police Department are not giving up the search for the murderer who took this young life.

"She was worthy, and she deserved a chance in life," Judi said. "She would have done good things."

Retired Phoenix Police Detective William Schira was on Lynsey's case for the final 8.5 years of his career.

"Even though I've been retired 3.5 years, I still think about this case," Det. Schira said. "Especially on the anniversary dates."

"I just don't know how, if you had any knowledge of something like this, something so brutal, four people, four kids...how you could keep that in for the remainder of your life," Judi said. "How do you do that?"

If you have any information regarding this case, contact Silent Witness at 480-Witness or leave an anonymous tip on the Silent Witness website. You will remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward.''
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