Nearly four decades after Lachelle “Shelly” Jeannine Waite was found strangled to death in her family home, authorities have finally made an arrest in what was one of Phoenix’s oldest cold cases.
Phoenix police announced Thursday that Alfred Earl Green, a 70-year-old convicted murderer, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Waite’s 1986 killing.
Green, who is currently serving a life sentence for the 1988 murder of his ex-girlfriend Yolanda Taylor, is accused of strangling the 18-year-old Maryvale High School graduate before stealing jewelry and a firearm from her home.
A Case That Went Cold for Decades
Waite was found dead by her older sister, Annette, in their mother’s bedroom in 1986.
Police determined there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting she may have known her killer. Initial investigations led detectives to a strong suspect, but at the time, there was insufficient evidence to make an arrest. The case remained unsolved for years.
In 2016, Phoenix PD’s Cold Case Homicide Unit reopened the investigation, conducting a full review. A breakthrough came in 2022, when a piece of evidence collected at the original crime scene was resubmitted for advanced DNA testing. The results pointed directly to Green.
“After not giving up on this case for nearly a decade, attempting to locate witnesses, identifying evidence and collecting data, detectives identified 70-year-old Alfred Earl Green as the suspect in the homicide,” the Phoenix Police Department said in a statement.
Finally, an Arrest—And a Step Toward Justice
Green was criminally indicted in Maricopa County Superior Court last month, and he appeared before a judge on Thursday. Prosecutors alleged that, after murdering Waite, Green immediately pawned the stolen items.
When confronted in court, he denied the charges and accused the prosecution of lying, according to KNXV.
Green is scheduled for arraignment on Feb, 27, where he will officially enter a plea.
Remembering Shelly: A Life Stolen Too Soon
Lachelle Waite was more than just a victim—she was a vibrant young woman with a promising future. A recent graduate of Maryvale High School, she was passionate about chorus, dance, and tutoring other students, according to archived newspaper records.
Detective Dominick Roestenberg, who worked closely with Waite’s family over the years, described her as “beautiful inside and out” and someone who was “caring, kind, and had an amazing future ahead of her.”
“Being able to finally let the family know, and also let the community know that after 39 years, we’re still working on these cases, trying to get justice for them, for the victims and their families, speaks to what this unit is all about,” Roestenberg said.
What’s Next?
While Green remains behind bars for another murder, this latest arrest marks a crucial step in delivering long-awaited justice for Lachelle “Shelly” Waite and her family.
Phoenix police continue to investigate possible motives and any additional connections between Green and his victim.
For a family that has waited nearly four decades, the wheels of justice may finally be turning.
