Teen allegedly broke into home, killed owner, then lived with corpse for weeks

PHOENIX (TCN) — An 18-year-old man allegedly broke into his neighbor’s home, killed him, and lived with the body for weeks. 

KSAZ reports that officers responded to a home Jan. 12 after a call requesting a welfare check on David Jimenez, 57. The neighbor who made the call told officers she had not seen Jimenez in several days but believed someone else was living in the home due to traffic in and out of the residence.

Officers saw Jimenez’s body in the backyard and made contact with the person inside the home. After what police referred to as an extended barricade, according to KSAZ, Xzavion Johnson left the house and was arrested.

Johnson allegedly told police he had broken into his neighbor Jimenez’s home on Dec. 29, 2025, to steal from him, and then shot him three times. He told officers he had been living in the home ever since.

Arizona’s Family reports Johnson’s mother made the call requesting the welfare check. She reportedly smelled a foul odor coming from Jimenez’s backyard and had not seen her son since Dec. 29, 2025. When she went to the home to check on Jimenez, she reportedly found a package on the front porch addressed to her son.

Court documents obtained by Arizona’s Family state Johnson stole the handgun allegedly used to kill Jimenez and that Jimenez was wrapped in a blanket and in an advanced state of decomposition when authorities discovered him.

KSAZ reports Johnson is in custody and his bond is set at $1 million cash. The investigation is ongoing. 

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