Latest news with #StephenDennis
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Newlywed bride's dying declaration identified her killer after she was fatally-knifed outside Home Depot store
A newlywed bride who was fatally knifed outside a Home Depot used her dying breath to identify her killer - her husband. Aliccia Grant, 37, had just tied the knot with Stephen Dennis, 36, when he stabbed her multiple times as the pair sat in their red Prius in the store's parking lot in north Phoenix, Arizona. Authorities say the couple, who had recently wed, were discussing annulling their marriage when Dennis turned violent. Grant, a mother of two, was found bleeding in the driver's seat by horrified witnesses who heard her desperate screams for help in the early hours of September 9, 2024. As officers frantically tried to stop the bleeding, she made a chilling 'dying declaration' - naming Dennis as her attacker. She was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead. Dennis fled on foot after the stabbing, grabbing a bag from the car and arguing with a bystander before running from the scene. Shortly afterward, he called 911 and admitted to the killing, also telling officers where they could find the murder weapon. On Monday, August 18, 2025, Dennis was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned the attack as a particularly cruel crime. 'This wasn't just a violent crime - it was an act of betrayal carried out by someone who should have been a source of safety, not fear,' Mitchell said in a statement. 'There is something especially cruel about a murder that takes place within a relationship that's intended to be built on trust. We will continue to aggressively pursue and hold violent domestic abusers accountable.' Mitchell also detailed the shocking scene: 'Witnesses walking nearby heard a woman screaming for help and discovered the victim in the driver's seat of a red Prius with multiple stab wounds.' Grant's declaration before she died sealed her killer's fate. 'As one of the officers continued to apply pressure to the victim's wounds, the victim made a dying declaration identifying Dennis as her attacker,' Mitchell said. Grant's family is now left to raise her two children, now ages nine and 15, without her. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral expenses and to support the children's future. Her loved ones described her as a woman who lived life with hope, energy, and ambition. 'Although Aliccia was taken from us far too soon, her endlessly hopeful energy left a permanent mark of inspiration on all of us who knew and loved her,' her family wrote in the description of the GoFundMe. 'She will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and friend, but most of all as a wonderful mom to her two beloved kids. 'Aliccia saw no dream as too big. She chased hers with open eyes and a full heart. She was a self-made entrepreneur, cosmetologist, author, and model. Her story is one of perseverance and the power of believing in yourself.' Her family added that donations have already helped them hold a 'celebration of life that truly captured the beauty that Aliccia brought into this world,' and said the next focus would be ensuring care and education for her children. 'During this very tough time, we choose not to be reminded of her passing, but instead, we celebrate the way she lived her life. We thank everyone for your outpouring of love. It means the world to us.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Newlywed Bride Fatally Stabbed in Home Depot Parking Lot Used Her Last Words to ID Husband as Killer
Aliccia Grant, 37, had just gotten married to Stephen Dennis, 36, when he fatally stabbed her while they were sitting in their car in a parking lot NEED TO KNOW Aliccia Grant, 37, was stabbed to death in September 2024 by her new husband while sitting in her car in a Home Depot lot Her husband, Stephen Dennis, 36, said they were talking about annulling their new marriage, say authorities Grant leaves behind two children An Arizona man who was convicted of fatally stabbing his newlywed wife in the parking lot of a Home Depot in 2024 has learned his fate. On Monday, Aug. 18, Stephen Dennis, 36, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of his wife, Aliccia Grant, 37, a mother of two, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced. Earlier this year, Dennis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. 'This wasn't just a violent crime — it was an act of betrayal carried out by someone who should have been a source of safety, not fear,' Mitchell said in a press release. 'There is something especially cruel about a murder that takes place within a relationship that's intended to be built on trust. We will continue to aggressively pursue and hold violent domestic abusers accountable.' The shocking murder took place in the early morning hours of Sept. 9, 2024, when Phoenix Police responded to a call about a stabbing outside a Home Depot in north Phoenix. 'Witnesses walking nearby heard a woman screaming for help and discovered the victim in the driver's seat of a red Prius with multiple stab wounds,' Mitchell said in the release. Dennis, who was in the front passenger seat, got out of the vehicle, argued with a bystander, then fled the scene on foot after grabbing a bag from the car, witnesses said, according to Mitchell's release. Witnesses and officers rendered aid to Grant. 'As one of the officers continued to apply pressure to the victim's wounds, the victim made a dying declaration identifying Dennis as her attacker,' Mitchell said in the release. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Shortly after the incident, Dennis called 911 and admitted to stabbing his wife, Mitchell said in the release. He also told officers where to find the murder weapon, which they were able to recover. Dennis told police the couple had recently married and were discussing an annulment at the time of the incident, Mitchell Dennis begins his sentence at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Grant's family is mourning her loss. In a GoFundMe set up to defray funeral costs and to help support Grant's two children, 10 and 16, her family wrote, 'Although Aliccia was taken from us far too soon, her endlessly hopeful energy left a permanent mark of inspiration on all of us who knew and loved her. 'She will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and friend, but most of all as a wonderful mom to her two beloved kids." If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem 'in talks to join cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025' - as Gladiator Nitro is the first star announced
and Delta Goodrem are reportedly in talks to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The Australian soap legends, 50 and 40 respectively, are said to be in the midst of 'negotiations' to sign up for the BBC dancing show, while fellow Aussie soap star Stephen Dennis is also said to be in the running. If Natalie and Delta appear on the show, they'll join Gladiators star Nitro in the line-up amid the announcement he's the first celebrity to sign up for the show. A source told The Sun of Natalie and Delta's potential signing: 'Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show. 'Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year's most eagerly anticipated competitors. 'If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.' It comes as Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his alter-ego Nitro, has been confirmed as the first celebrity taking part in the new series, after competing on the Christmas Special last year. His involvement was revealed in a prank to CBBC Newsround viewers, after the BBC had previously said the first stars taking part would be revealed much later in the day. Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Harry, 36, appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as 'world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott', there to talk about his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing. His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. Harry then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he's taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing! Harry is an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Harry has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion. In 2023, Harry was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry said: 'After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.' The next three celebrity contestants joining the new series of Strictly will be announced live on The One Show at 7pm. On Sunday it was reported that Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem are 'in negotiations' to take part in the show. A new report suggested the two Australian stars are both in talks to appear while another former Neighbours star - Stefan Dennis - is also said to be in the running. A source told The Sun: 'Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show. 'Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year's most eagerly anticipated competitors. 'If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.' Strictly's new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers were known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, a unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour '. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.
