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Surprise Police Arrest Cousin in June Killing After DNA Match

Court filings cite blood from the victim on the suspect’s shoes as the lab result that advanced the case.

Overview

  • Nathan Sobarzo, 27, was taken into custody on Nov. 13 after a brief release on unrelated charges and was booked on one count of second-degree murder.
  • Sean Hernandez, 53, was found dead in the front yard of a Surprise home on June 11 as family members discovered his body before dawn.
  • An autopsy detailed at least six stab wounds to Hernandez’s torso and arms, according to court documents.
  • Investigators say DNA testing matched Hernandez’s blood to stains on Sobarzo’s shoes, and a search found an empty knife sheath, additional knives, and clothing tied to a nearby robbery.
  • Court records note Sobarzo admitted to a Circle K robbery hours earlier, a friend told police he said he “killed” a man, and police describe the case as ongoing with limited details about the events leading up to the killing.