Suspect Convicted Following the Death of Aliccia Grant in Home Depot Parking Lot

A late-night stabbing, a dying declaration in a parking lot, and a man's swift confession have led to a prison sentence in a case that shook north Phoenix.

Stephen Dennis, 36, will spend the next 18 years in prison for killing his wife, 37-year-old Aliccia Grant, in a Home Depot parking lot. His sentencing, announced on August 18, 2025, by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, follows his guilty plea to second-degree murder, a Class One felony.

The fatal attack unfolded just after midnight on Monday, September 9, 2024. Police were called to the parking lot near Cave Creek and Cactus roads after witnesses walking nearby heard a woman screaming for help. They found Grant slumped behind the wheel of her red Prius, bleeding from multiple stab wounds.

Her husband, who had been seated beside her throughout the commotion, exited the car. According to witnesses, Dennis argued briefly with a bystander before grabbing a bag from the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Bystanders rushed to help, applying pressure to Grant's wounds while awaiting emergency responders.

When Phoenix Police arrived, one officer took over, and in her final moments, Grant managed to make a dying declaration, in which she named Dennis as her attacker. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Not long after, Dennis called 911.

He admitted to stabbing his wife and told police where to find him and the weapon. Officers located the knife, arrested Dennis, and transported him to the Maricopa County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of second-degree murder. According to investigators, the couple had recently married and were discussing an annulment at the time of the incident.

"This wasn't just a violent crime — it was an act of betrayal carried out by someone who should have been a source of safety, not fear," County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said after the sentencing. "There is something especially cruel about a murder that takes place within a relationship that's intended to be built on trust."

Grant was a well-known makeup artist and entrepreneur in Arizona. With 17 years of certification, she was a published model, esthetician, educator, and a L'Oréal Luxe retail sales specialist.

Her professional work under the name Glamazon Makeup had been featured in various shoots, and she was known for her creativity in visual marketing. According to her Instagram bio, she has been published 15 times globally.

Earlier in 2024, she and Dennis appeared in a stylized engagement shoot, which was posted on social media. The photos, taken in and around a black 1987 Cadillac hearse, featured romantic poses and gothic aesthetics, with captions like "Till Death Do Us Part 💍🖤 Engagement Shoot."

In a separate modeling post from February 2024, Grant posed as Emily from "Corpse Bride," dressed in a wedding gown with corpse-inspired makeup and red roses. Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her death, Grant's loved ones chose to focus on how she lived.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by the Grant family described her as a "loving daughter, sister, cousin, and friend, but most of all as a wonderful mom to her two beloved kids." The fundraiser, which has raised more than $44,000 toward a $50,000 goal, helped cover the cost of funeral services and will support her children, who were nine and 15 at the time of her death.

"Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to host a celebration of life that truly captured the beauty that Aliccia brought into this world," the family explained. "Now our focus must shift to her children… Your donations will ensure that we can arrange for their care in the short term and for educational expenses in the future."

Months before the stabbing, Dennis had posted a public tribute to Grant on Facebook, writing, "I just want to celebrate Aliccia Glamazon Makeup. Everything it took to finally find you, all the lessons I went through were for you. My love, I'm so excited for our future. Thank you for loving me properly babe, you're the best person I've ever met [sic]."

The tragedy surrounding Grant's death left a deep impact on the north Phoenix community. Just a few months earlier, in late May, another heartbreaking case unfolded in the same region, this time involving two teenagers whose lives were taken under violent and still-unsolved circumstances.

In June 2025, authorities announced they were investigating the deaths of two teenagers discovered earlier in the month at a remote campsite in Arizona. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) confirmed it was conducting a homicide investigation after the bodies were found in the Tonto National Forest, northeast of the Phoenix metro area.

Deputies responded to a call early on Tuesday morning, May 27, 2025. The scene was located off State Route 87, between Mesa and Payson, near Mount Ord. According to ABC15, the victims were 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and a 17-year-old male, who friends and family identified as Evan Clark.

On Friday, May 30, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner ruled both deaths as homicides caused by gunshot wounds. MCSO has stated that the deaths are being treated as suspicious.

In a statement, the agency noted, "At this time, our focus is on conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones. We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts."

Both teens were students at Arcadia High School. The school notified families about the tragedy in a letter, but did not release the names of the students. The principal confirmed that counseling and support services are being made available for students and staff.

Pandora's mother, Simone Kjolsrud, spoke to ABC15 and described her daughter as "a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had an unusual ability to make every person she met feel special and loved."

Simone added, "She lived life in a big way and was always up for an adventure. She loved hiking and camping and her favorite place on earth was Camelback Mountain."

The Kjolsrud family also issued a formal statement through family representative Kathryn Leonard. "We are heartbroken to confirm the tragic loss of our beloved Pandora, whose life was taken from us far too soon. The family is working closely with law enforcement and have full faith that justice will be served."

"We ask that anyone with information come forward and support the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office investigation in any way possible. During this incredibly difficult time, we kindly ask for privacy for the family as they grieve and navigate this unbearable loss. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community," concluded the statement.

According to a GoFundMe page created to support the family, the teenage girl's life "was violently taken on May 26th, 2025."

The page described her as having "a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many." It continued, "She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special."

The post also highlighted her deep love for music and the outdoors, noting that she played the violin, cello, and guitar, and enjoyed camping, kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Animals held a special place in her heart, as she had a strong bond with her two small dogs and often stopped to greet dogs she passed on hikes or neighborhood walks.

The fundraiser aims to "allow Pandora's family to grieve the unimaginable loss of their daughter without the worry of financial burden." As of this writing, it has raised over $30,000 of its $35,000 goal. While funeral services will be private, the family is planning a community celebration of life in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Evan's mother provided a statement to ABC15, that read, "I am Sandra Malibu Sweeney and Evan Clark was my only child and my beloved son. This last week Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable. I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him."

She described Evan as "funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial," and shared that he enjoyed concerts, photography, working at Crumbl Cookies, and traveling to Malibu, California.

Sandra reflected on the community support and concluded her message with a quote, "Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more."

A GoFundMe page created in Evan's memory stated, "On May 26th, 2025, Sandra Malibu Sweeney lost her beloved son, Evan Clark, in a tragic and violent crime."

It explained that the fundraiser would help "ease the financial pressures that come with such a devastating loss" and would also support a planned celebration of life.

All donations are being deposited into an account accessible only by Evan's mother. The fundraising page has also surpassed $30,000 of its $35,000 goal, as of June 4, 2025.

The Arcadia community has been left in shock following the news. Residents expressed concern and sadness as the investigation continues. One community member asked, "Who? Why? What? When? Tragic thing that happened, obviously. We got to find out who did it. That's the main thing."

Others echoed the urgency, with one resident saying, "It's really scary that it's just so close to home and then their family. That's the next thing you think about. It's like, what are they going through? What happened to them? Are they going to get answers?"

Another added, "It's shocking and really sad," while a different member of the community said, "It's unbelievable. Very distressing. Very distressing, because they're so young, their lives haven't even begun yet."

Concerns about safety in the area have also emerged. FOX 10 asked MCSO about public safety in the region, and the agency declined to comment, stating that sharing such details could interfere with the investigation.

"If there's something going on in the area. I'm here with my child. I'd like to know if we're safe," one community member stated. "I'm really concerned, very concerned," said another.

Other residents emphasized the importance of awareness and security. "Obviously respecting the people's families and not get into those personal details, but I would want to know how we can all be safe," a resident noted. Another expressed, "It really makes me worry because I have nieces and nephews that age that something could happen to them.[sic]"

As of now, no suspect information has been released. Investigators continue to urge anyone who may have been near Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest over Memorial Day weekend to call MCSO at 602-876-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous.