Note: The PRT will update this story with new details as they become available.

Oct. 10, 2023:

Press Release:

From: Sheriff David Hathaway

Subject: Double Homicide Investigation in Sonoita, AZ; Additional Details

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has now upgraded its investigation of the previously reported event in Sonoita, Arizona on October 5, 2023 to a double homicide. Jamie Lee Scheid, aged 56, has now succumbed to her severe injuries and has died. There will now be two first degree murder charges against the suspect, Austin William Scheid (Date of Birth: 08-24-2001) who is the son of deceased victim Gregory Scheid aged 64 and the stepson of deceased victim Jamie Scheid. A search warrant was executed on Austin Scheid’s residence in Tucson and a journal was discovered where Austin Scheid described his intentions to kill the victims.

Austin Scheid is being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail on a $2 million dollar bail.

Please refer to the original press release [below] for additional details of the occurrence on October 5, 2023. The investigation is ongoing. For further inquiries, contact Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo at 520-761-7869 or at gcastillo@santacruzcountyaz.gov.

October 5, 2023

Press Release

From: Sheriff David Hathaway
Subject: Homicide Investigation in Sonoita, AZ
 
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 03:42 AM on October 5, 2023. The reporting party (Austin William Scheid, Date of Birth 08-24-2001) advised the Sheriff’s Office dispatcher that he had murdered two people at 25 Lucero Del Cielo in Sonoita, Arizona. Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched. Officers met Austin Scheid in a vehicle at an intersection near 25 Lucero Del Cielo. The vehicle was smeared with blood. A bloody knife and bloody clothing and footwear were also found in the vehicle. Austin Scheid was detained. Officers also responded to 25 Lucero Del Cielo and found one deceased male individual (Gregory Scheid, age 64) and one critically injured female (Jamie Lee Scheid, age 56). Gregory Scheid was identified to be Austin Scheid’s father and Jamie Scheid was identified to be Austin Scheid’s step-mother. Jamie Scheid was airlifted from the scene for medical treatment. Austin Scheid is being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail. Attached is a mugshot of defendant Austin Scheid.
 
The investigation is ongoing. For further inquiries, contact Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo at 520-761-7869 or gcastillo@santacruzcountyaz.gov