Alan Champagne, age 47, was found guilty of 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, kidnapping and two counts of abandonment/concealment of a body in connection with the deaths of 32-year-old Philmon Tapaha and 26-year-old Brandi Hoffner.
In 2013, landscapers uncovered two bodies that had been buried in the backyard of a Phoenix home. The two bodies were identified as Tapaha and Hoffner, who had been reported missing in 2011. Champagne was initially identified as a person of interest in the case, after he was found in possession of items from the victims and DNA from Tapaha was found in the apartment where Champagne lived at the time of the murders. However, it was not until Champagne was in custody on unrelated charges that the victims were discovered. Investigators were able to then tie Champagne to the murders after witnesses came forward and investigators learned that he had a wooden box made around the time the victims went missing.
The case now moves to a sentencing phase where a jury will consider whether a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty is appropriate. Champagne’s next scheduled court date is June 26th.