Podcast Summary:

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: "One Of Arizona’s Most Prolific Serial Killers Sentenced To Death: ‘He’s A Monster’"
Date: December 21, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes dissect the conviction and sentencing of Cleophas Cooksey Jr., one of Arizona’s most notorious serial killers. The discussion explores the shocking details of his crimes—a 2017 spree that left at least nine dead in just 21 days. The hosts delve into the community’s terror, the complexities of the legal proceedings, the lingering mysteries of Cooksey’s motives, and broader questions about the death penalty in Arizona and the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scope and Shock of the Case

• Sentencing & Numbers Game:
  • Cleophas Cooksey Jr. was sentenced to death for six of eight murder convictions, part of a spree that police believe may have included nine killings ([02:55], [03:31]).
  • The discussion highlights confusion over the numbers due to hung juries on two counts and the possibility of retrials for those specific murders.

“He was on trial for eight killings, got the death penalty for six. It's a little confusing, but the state of Arizona is saying this might be serious enough. We go back and fight for the other two.” — T.J. Holmes [02:55]

• Why Pursue More Death Sentences?
  • Amy questions the practicality of retrying Cooksey for his mother and stepfather’s deaths when he already faces the death penalty ([03:31]).
  • T.J. suggests the motivation is rooted in the gravity and community impact of his spree ([03:55]).

The Crime Spree: Randomness & Ruthlessness

• Unprecedented Brutality in Phoenix
  • Nine people were shot and killed over 21 days—most with no apparent connection to Cooksey ([04:47], [04:51]).
  • The sheer randomness sowed confusion among police and paralyzed the community with fear.

“Nine people killed in 21 days.” — Amy Robach [04:47]

• Investigation & Connection of Crimes
  • Police only connected the dots via forensic evidence, linking the murders through Cooksey’s mistakes in handling evidence and keeping “tokens” from victims ([05:31]).

Victims and Methods

• Victim Profiles
  • The spree included young men killed while parked or walking, and random apartment shootings.
  • One especially harrowing case involved Maria Villanueva, who was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered ([10:28]).

“He grabbed her as she was walking to her car, made her sit in the front passenger seat… her body was found the next day, half naked in Phoenix.” — Amy Robach [10:28]

• Personal Connections
  • The final victims were Cooksey’s own mother, Renee, and stepfather, Edward—crimes that particularly unsettled even hardened observers.
  • One family friend left the sentencing saying, “He's a monster and he doesn't have any heart. And he said he wants him to die for what he's done.” — as reported by Amy Robach [06:35]

The Elusive Motive & Nature of Evil

• No clear motive has ever been established for the spree. Both hosts grappled with the psychological and philosophical implications.

“There was no real motive in this case that anyone's been able to figure out... that is terrifying to think about.”
— Amy Robach [06:35], T.J. Holmes [08:33]

• Observers—victims’ friends, police, and prosecutors—often resorted to calling Cooksey “evil.”

Legal Complexities & Delays

• Slow Justice in Arizona
  • The murders occurred in late 2017; Cooksey was not brought to trial and sentenced until 2025—an eight-year gap ([13:03]).
  • The hosts express frustration at the slow pace, drawing comparisons to other Arizona serial murder cases that remain unresolved even longer ([18:58]).

“Can you imagine being a juror sitting through all that testimony all those months, for all these months, and just now, this week, he finally was sentenced…?” — Amy Robach [13:31]

The Death Penalty Debate

• DA’s Vengeance Argument

  • The district attorney insists, “Death is the only just punishment in this case. Anyone who questions why we need the death penalty needs to look no further than this case.” — Paraphrased, Amy Robach [15:22]
  • Amy and T.J. examine whether the death penalty functions as deterrence or simply vengeance, noting the DA’s justification echoes the latter ([16:17]).

• Execution Statistics

  • Arizona rarely carries out executions despite a significant death row population. Only two executions occurred in 2025 ([18:18]).
  • Broader context: 2025 saw 47 executions nationwide—the highest since 2009 ([20:34]).

“Arizona... is not a state that executes a lot of people, even though they got quite a few on death row.” — T.J. Holmes [14:07]

• Systemic Critiques
  • The hosts voice frustration at delays and inefficiencies, noting families may wait decades for justice, which undermines both deterrence and closure ([18:58], [19:42]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motive and Evil:

  “It's tough to understand... to think that just somebody happened to be a bad dude and decide to consciously decide to be this type of evil.” — T.J. Holmes [07:24]

• Victims' Friend:

  “He's a monster and he doesn't have any heart. He wants him to die for what he's done.” — Recap from friend’s courtroom comments, Amy Robach [06:35]

• On Delays:

  “Are you really telling me you're going to make these families who lost a loved one in 2016 wait and wait for 50 years for justice to be served? We've got to fix that one.” — T.J. Holmes [19:54]

• On the Justice System:

  “That's not fair to the accused, and it's not fair to the victim’s families.” — Amy Robach [20:17]

• On Community Impact:

  “He targeted his victims when they were vulnerable… when their guards were down, when they felt that they were safe and secure. And he took that away from these people and perhaps the community…” — Amy Robach [17:39]

Structured Timeline & Timestamps

• [02:55] — Episode launches into the main story and details sentencing confusion.
• [03:31 - 04:51] — Discussion of total victims, timeline, and the terror in Phoenix.
• [05:31] — How police connected Cooksey to the spree via forensic evidence.
• [06:06 - 07:47] — Familial victims, personal commentaries, and the absence of clear motive.
• [09:42 - 10:57] — Specific victim stories, randomness of attacks, and escalation to sexual assault.
• [11:55 - 12:55] — Arrest of Cooksey, police intervention, and immediate aftermath.
• [13:03 - 13:31] — Legal process delays and trial logistics.
• [15:22 - 17:11] — DA’s rationale for death penalty, hosts’ debate on vengeance vs. deterrence.
• [18:18 - 19:54] — Arizona’s slow execution pace, comparison to other cases.
• [20:13 - 20:30] — Broader reflection on justice delays for victims’ families.
• [20:34] — 2025 execution statistics and national context.
• [21:03 - 22:22] — Brief mention of a potential last-minute execution in Georgia.

Tone and Speaker Dynamics

• The tone alternates between professional, analytical, and emotionally engaged. Both hosts maintain a sense of outrage and empathy, sharing the public’s bewilderment and frustration but keeping the conversation respectful and fact-driven.

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth examination not only of the crimes of Cleophas Cooksey Jr. but also of the systemic and philosophical issues surrounding the death penalty. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes provide context, detail, and thoughtful debate, making it both informative and compelling for listeners seeking to understand the human and societal impact of serial violence and capital punishment.