Two Arrested for the Murder of 16-Year-Old in Phoenix

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Community gathers for a vigil to honor Zariah Finley Dodd and her unborn child.

News Summary

Jurrell Davis and Jechri James-Gillett have been arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Zariah Finley Dodd, who was found dead shortly after being reported missing. Dodd, who was pregnant, was discovered with a gunshot wound in Marivue Park. Family members expressed their grief and called for justice as it was disclosed that Davis is the father of her unborn child. Concerns about Davis’s history of violence and grooming have surfaced, prompting further investigation into the case.

Phoenix

Jurrell Davis, 36, and Jechri James-Gillett, 18, have been arrested and charged with the murder of 16-year-old Zariah Finley Dodd, who was found dead shortly after being reported missing. Dodd was discovered with a gunshot wound at Marivue Park in Phoenix early on July 5, 2025, just hours after her family reported her missing.

Dodd was last seen leaving Sunshine Residential, a group home located in Surprise, at around 8 p.m. on July 4. Four hours later, authorities classified her as a runaway. Tragically, she was found dead the following morning, having been 22 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, with her unborn daughter also failing to survive the incident.

The investigation into her murder led authorities to establish that Jurrell Davis is the father of Dodd’s unborn child. Police reported that both Davis and James-Gillett conspired to commit the homicide. As a result of the investigation, both suspects have been booked into jail, where they currently face murder charges. In addition, Davis has been charged with sexual misconduct with a minor.

Sylquayn Bernard, Dodd’s father, expressed his disgust with Davis’s actions and emphasized his desire for justice for both his daughter and granddaughter. It took authorities nearly a month to publicly confirm both Dodd’s identity and age following her death.

Jurrell Davis had previously been classified as a prohibited possessor of firearms due to a conviction in 2008 for impregnating a 14-year-old when he was 19. Furthermore, he has remained in custody since July 15, 2025, after being linked to another case involving a missing 17-year-old girl. The girl’s mother had previously filed an order of protection against Davis, citing his troubling behavior.

A vigil was held at Marivue Park on August 1, 2025, to celebrate Zariah Dodd’s life and honor her unborn daughter. Friends and family encouraged attendees to wear purple, blue, or pink in recognition of Dodd’s memory. During the memorial, those close to Dodd highlighted that she was a victim of a system that ultimately failed her, noting her desire for love and belonging. It was stated that Dodd had experienced instability in her life by being placed in over twenty different homes, including her stay at Sunshine Residential starting in 2022.

Davis’s alleged history of grooming vulnerable girls in group homes has also raised significant concerns among former foster family members, who have shared their apprehensions about his behavior. Zariah Dodd’s funeral is slated for August 2, 2025, at Greater Hope Christian Church, marking another moment for the community to mourn her loss.

Both Jurrell Davis and Jechri James-Gillett are expected to appear in court soon as the legal proceedings regarding the murder charges continue. As this distressing case unfolds, the community is left grappling with the implications of the tragic circumstances surrounding Zariah Finley Dodd and her unborn daughter.