Tucson Man Charged With Stabbing His Sister To Death

TUCSON, AZ — A Tucson man is in jail facing charges of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his sister Sunday night. Tucson Police Operations Division Midtown officers were called to a residence near 2400 S. Holly Stravenue in Tucson Sunday around 8:30 p.m. on a report of a knife assault by a man on his sister.

When police arrived at the home, they found Ismael Ortega, 41, inside and immediately detained him. Police then found Ismael’s sister Mirna Ortega, 43, outside behind the house “with obvious signs of sharp force trauma,” Tucson police reported. Mirna Ortega was unresponsive when she was found, and police administered CPR. Tucson Fire then arrived at the home and took over medical aid provision.

Mirna Ortega was taken to Banner University Medical Center with what authorities deemed life-threatening injuries.

Mirna Ortega died not long after arriving at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Tucson Police Homicide Unit detectives arrived at the home and interviewed Ismael in addition to some of his family members who were there. Afterward, Ismael Ortega was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail. He is charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Detectives continue to investigate the case and attempt to determine the incident’s cause.