Man found dead in Laveen backyard; teen neighbor accused of killing him and living in his home

PHOENIX — A normally quiet Laveen neighborhood was left reeling this week after police discovered a man shot to death in his own backyard. The victim’s body was left undiscovered for nearly two weeks while the accused killer allegedly lived inside the victim’s home.

RELATED: Suspect in custody after man found dead in Phoenix backyard

Phoenix police said 57-year-old David Jimenez was killed in late December. Court records indicate his 18-year-old neighbor, Xavion Johnson, is accused of shooting Jimenez three times during an attempted burglary, then wrapping his body in blankets and leaving it in the backyard.

Neighbors described Jimenez as kind, thoughtful, and someone who looked out for others on Seely Street near 51st Avenue and Southern Avenue. When his daily routine suddenly stopped, and he was not seen for several days, concern quickly grew among those who lived nearby.

“I was thinking about how someone could do that,” one neighbor said, struggling to understand the violence.

Candles and flowers were placed outside Jimenez’s home on Wednesday by a woman who did not know him personally but said the crime hit too close to home. Another neighbor said the situation was frightening, especially for families in the area.

“It’s unexpected because it’s close to home,” she said. “I have kids—a 5-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 20-year-old—and to think something like that could happen is scary.”

Investigators say after killing Jimenez, Johnson remained in the victim’s home for nearly two weeks. During that time, police say he drove Jimenez’s car around the Laveen area, used his credit cards and ordered packages in his own name, which were delivered to Jimenez’s front door.

The bizarre situation began to unravel when Johnson’s mother and other family members became concerned after not seeing either Johnson or Jimenez for an extended period. According to court documents, Johnson’s mother ultimately called police requesting a welfare check on Jimenez.

For multiple days, neighbors say they noticed a strong odor coming from the backyard. When police arrived Monday night, their investigation led to the discovery of Jimenez’s decomposing body and revealed that Johnson had been living inside the home.

Johnson was arrested early Tuesday morning after police surrounded the house. Authorities say he barricaded himself inside before eventually being taken into custody without further incident.

Neighbors said Jimenez lived alone and had no close family nearby, which they believe contributed to the delay in discovering his death. Family members reportedly live out of state.

For those who knew him, the focus has shifted to remembering the man they say was a good neighbor and a caring presence to everyone nearby.

“He was good to me,” one neighbor said. “He took care of me.”

Johnson has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond.

You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! 

The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. 

12+  showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. 

Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. 

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.” 

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. 

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.