Tragic Discovery: Mother of Seven Found Deceased on Neighbor’s Doorstep; Husband Discovers Scene After Noticing Police Presence

In a shocking incident in Arizona, the lifeless body of a mother was discovered on her neighbor’s doorstep. Her husband, Albert Mendivil, witnessed the distressing scene after noticing police lights through the window while he was inside with their seven children. Authorities revealed that a state attorney general’s office agent was “involved” in the tragic shooting.

“I saw red and blue lights flashing behind the apartments, so I rushed outside to see what was happening,” Mendivil recounted to KPNX, a local NBC affiliate. “That was when the police held me back,” he added.

The victim, 32-year-old Maria Lewis, was reportedly shot during an altercation at the neighbor’s residence, Mendivil explained. Although the details of how Lewis ended up there remain unclear, Mendivil mentioned that investigators informed him of a confrontation. The neighbor allegedly described the shooting as accidental.

The Mesa Police Department confirmed to Law&Crime that DuLance Morin, a 47-year-old agent with the Arizona Attorney General’s office, was “involved in the shooting.” However, specifics of his involvement have not been disclosed.

As the investigation continues, Morin has not been taken into custody.

“The information we currently have available is, in the early morning on Feb. 28, officers responded to a residence near the intersection of E. Kinetic Dr and S. Reliance Way for a welfare check call for service,” MPD detective and public information officer Jesse Macias told Law&Crime.

“Once on scene, officers located an adult with a gunshot wound. The adult was later pronounced deceased,” Macias said. “It has been confirmed that 47-year-old DuLance Morin is involved in the shooting.”

The AG’s office told Law&Crime on Thursday that Morin was placed on administrative leave after the incident, pending the Mesa Police Department’s investigation.

“Morin has been employed by the Attorney General’s Office since February 2016,” said communications director Richie Taylor in a statement. “The Attorney General’s Office is fully cooperating with the Mesa PD investigation and will conduct an internal review.”

The AG’s office declined to comment further and deferred to Mesa PD for all other questions. Lewis’ family has called for murder charges to be filed in the case, according to local Fox affiliate KSAZ.

A GoFundMe launched by the woman’s family describes Lewis as someone who “raised seven beautiful children, ranging from 12 years old to 2 years old.” The description says she “also leaves behind a husband who is now a widow[er] to 7 of his children as well.”

Mendivil told KPNX, “She’s a great person. Just lost for words right now.”