The case centers on the killing of 43-year-old Larry Pritchard at Burnt Corral campground on Apache Lake in the winter of 1987. On the evening of February 3, Pritchard accepted an invitation to dine with fellow camper Robert Charles Comer and Comer’s companion, Juneva Willis. After the meal Comer shot Pritchard in the head and then stabbed him in the neck. Comer took an Emergency Medical Technician badge from Pritchard’s pocket and had Willis cover the body with wood.

Comer and Willis then returned to Pritchard’s campsite, stealing his belongings and his dog; Comer later shot and killed the dog. The pair also attacked campers Jane Jones and Richard Smith, committing armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Jones was sexually assaulted and abused by Comer; Smith was threatened with death but persuaded by Jones not to be killed and was later left in the woods. Jones escaped while Comer worked on his truck and reached help; Smith got back to the campground and reported the crimes.

Authorities arrested Comer and Willis. Willis later pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping in exchange for testifying against Comer. Comer was tried in Maricopa County in 1988 in absentia, found guilty on all counts after a seven-day trial, and sentenced to death for Pritchard’s murder with aggravated, consecutive prison terms for the other offenses.

Does anyone have additional information about Pritchard’s life at Apache Lake or knew him personally?