‘Please don’t kill me’: Arizona man accused of shooting, killing wife amid separation

PHOENIX — A West Valley man is accused of first-degree murder after allegedly killing his estranged wife while their teenage daughter was inside the house.

Robert Marin, 60, is being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $2 million cash bond.

Court records reveal their daughter called 911 after reportedly hearing her mother, 50-year-old Heather Marin, pleading for her life, followed by several gunshots. 

Robert Marin allegedly shrugged his shoulders and walked away to smoke a cigar while covered in his wife’s blood.

According to court records, Robert and Heather Marin were separated and in the process of getting a divorce. There is reportedly evidence of unreported instances of domestic violence leading up to the shooting, including a threatening conversation last month.

“The point where a survivor decides to leave an abusive situation is the most dangerous point,” A New Leaf Marketing Director Tanner Swanson said.

Swanson told 12News it’s crucial survivors put their safety first when leaving a dangerous relationship and there’s help available for anyone attempting to.

“We always tell people in an emergency to call 911, but that doesn’t need to be your first call. You can speak with someone confidentially and ask them what options are available to you,” Swanson said.

Organizations across Arizona, including A New Leaf, provide shelter and counseling to people facing domestic violence. Resources often include a safe place to stay, court advocacy and financial services.

“When they make that decision to leave, making sure that that survivor has every option available to them and they don’t feel alone is crucial,” Swanson said.

Several reported domestic violence incidents turned deadly in Maricopa County this week.

Swanson said violence often increases when additional stress is on a household.

“Right now, we’re seeing gas prices spike, it’s hard to find a job, the temperature is going up. There are a lot of stress factors on households, and when that happens, the likelihood of abuse increases pretty proportionate to that,” Swanson said.

Anyone in an immediate dangerous situation is encouraged to contact emergency services by calling 911.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. 

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