Authorities have identified Michelle Gracia as the victim in a tragic murder-suicide that occurred on Monday, September 8, at a home near Swan and Glenn in Tucson.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office confirmed that the incident involved a case of domestic violence. The suspect, who had previously faced felony strangulation charges, killed Gracia before taking his own life.
Gracia’s daughter, Mikayla Seoul, remembered her mother as a devoted family woman and a “beloved grandmother,” whose loss has left a profound void in their lives.
The Attorney’s Office highlighted the extreme dangers associated with domestic violence cases, particularly strangulation.
According to officials, 43% of women who are murdered have previously been strangled by their partner, and those who have experienced strangulation face an 800% increased risk of being killed.
Authorities noted that they had previously objected to the suspect’s release from custody due to concerns over escalating violence. “In this case, we argued and secured a bond to keep him in jail, but the defendant returned to court asking for a second chance to be released. We strenuously objected due to our grave concerns,” the statement read.
Neighbors reported multiple police visits to the residence over time. One resident, Tom Stoddard, said, “We’re kind of scared because we’ve never had any trouble like this on the street. I’ve lived here 23 years and we’ve never had that many police at one house.”
Authorities have indicated that more details regarding the case will be released in the coming days.