Arizona Woman Accused Of Fatally Striking Cousin With Hammer During Argument, Police Say

An Arizona woman is behind bars after she allegedly killed her cousin with a hammer during a fight, police said.

Shortly after 12 p.m. on May 4th, police received a report of a medical call for service at a residence in Peoria.

According to officials, responding officers located a 33-year-old male at the home who had died from blunt force trauma.

Officers identified Brianna Zerth, 29, as a suspect in the man’s murder and she was taken into custody at the scene.

Zerth and the victim were roommates, police said.

Citing court documents, KSAZ-TV reported Zerth and the victim had been drinking when they got into an altercation and she allegedly struck him with the hammer.

Zerth was booked into the Intake, Transfer, and Release Jail in Phoenix on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and aggravated assault.

The investigation is ongoing. Police have not released a possible motive for the crime.