North Carolina Man Wanted in Wife's Murder Caught Outside Arizona

Diana Alejandra Keel and her daughter pose together.
GoFundMe

Authorities believe Rexford Lynn Keel Jr. was en route to Mexico.

A North Carolina man wanted in his wife's murder was apprehended in Arizona on Sunday, authorities said. 

Rexford Lynn Keel Jr. is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Diana Alejandra Keel, whose body was discovered last Tuesday. She was stabbed to death, according to the Nash County Sheriff's Office.

Diana, 38, was reported missing by her 18-year-old daughter, who told Nash County sheriff's deputies she hadn't been able to reach her mother for days. Her husband was questioned in her disappearance and released before later being charged with her murder. 

He was located outside Tucson with a bundle of cash and officials believe he may have been heading to Mexico, according to the sheriff's office.

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said investigators will now revisit the 2006 death of Elizabeth Keel, Rexford's first wife. At the time, the medical examiner's office ruled she died in an accidental fall after hitting her head on the concrete steps fronting the couple's home. It is the same house where Rexford lived with Diana.

Rexford is awaiting extradition from Arizona

Diana's daughter created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the funeral costs, as well as to help her raise her 10-year-old sibling. You can donate here.

RELATED STORIES