Benson murderer to be sentenced

In September 2010 Devvra Keyes was reported as a missing person. In February 2011 Devvra’s remains were located within a sewer manhole off of El Paso Lane in Benson, AZ. Robert Sappington and Jarod Larson were placed under arrest and charged with Devvra’s murder.

This case was the first death penalty eligible case in Cochise County in the past twenty years. In 2012 Jarod Larson pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder and is serving a life sentence in prison. In December 2014 Robert Sappington pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder, his sentencing is forthcoming. We understand this is and has been a difficult time for all of those affected by this tragedy and we hope you can find some peace as this comes to a conclusion.

The Benson Police Department wishes to thank everyone involved in this investigation and the community for your continued support through this process. It is with the assistance of a concerned community that crimes like this are resolved.