Judith Walthers, age 25, was sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree Murder, in addition to four years for Theft of Means of Transportation and two years for Second Degree Escape all connected to the death of 54-year-old Kevin Worzalla.
On February 4, 2014 officers were called to a Mesa apartment to the check the welfare of a tenant that the landlord had not seen for several days. Inside officers found the body of Worzalla with multiple injuries and stab wounds. Neighbors told officers Walthers, who was homeless, had been storing her belongings at Worzalla’s home and had been using his vehicle, which was now missing.
A day later officers located Walthers and arrested her for an outstanding warrant for previous drug charges. While in custody she claimed she had a medical emergency and was taken to a nearby hospital. Once at the hospital she escaped from her escort and tried to hide in the ceiling of the emergency room.
Family and friends of the suspect told investigators Walthers liked the thrill of robbing people and had made several comments to them about wanting to “kill an old man” for his truck prior to the murder.