Arizona Woman Shot To Death By Her Ex-husband In Front Of Their Two Children

An Arizona woman was shot outside her home by her ex-husband, who is also the father of her children. The two young children also witnessed the shooting before the man fled the scene. According to authorities, the ex-husband later died by suicide.

Mikaela Durfey, 36, was shot on May 25. At around 5:05 p.m., police responded to the scene and found her suffering from “gunshot trauma.” According to a news release from the Marana Police Department, she was found near the driveway of her home in the 6700 block of West Alegria Drive.

Paramedics initially attempted lifesaving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified the suspect as Brian Schnurr, 37, the woman’s ex-husband. He allegedly fled the scene after shooting Durfey.

According to ABC 15 Arizona, KOLD 13 News and News 4 Tucson, the couple’s children witnessed the shooting. The outlets reported that Schnurr allegedly shot his ex-wife after picking up the children and placing them into a blue Dodge Challenger.

Later, police located the car near the 8500 block of North Silverbell Road. The former couple’s children, both 4 years old, were found inside the vehicle. According to authorities, both were unharmed.

Schnurr was later located by officers in a nearby desert area. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department air unit found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the release. Police said, “It has been confirmed that the two deceased were the parents of the children located in the vehicle.”

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is being treated as a murder-suicide. Neighbors told police they heard multiple gunshots that evening. Longtime resident Charles Wipperman said the incident was “very sad and shocking.”

Wipperman told KOLD, “Anytime somebody passes away, it’s sad. Whether it’s a friend or a family member, when someone is murdered, no matter who it is, that is horrible.”

According to News 4 Tucson, Schnurr was a local chiropractor. Meanwhile, KOLD 13 News reported that Durfey worked as a licensed counselor. Court records show that divorce proceedings involving the former couple were filed in July 2025.