On a cold morning on December 29, 2014, the body of 17-year-old Brianna Lois Wells was found in a south Phoenix alley behind an address on Mobile Lane. A resident taking out trash discovered her and called authorities. Brianna, a junior at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, sustained obvious trauma; her death was ruled a homicide. Initial reports varied about the wounds, with some saying she had been beaten and later accounts saying she had been shot multiple times before her body was left in the alley.

Brianna was born March 25, 1997. Friends remembered her as protective, loyal, and playful; she loved animals, volunteered at an animal shelter, wanted to become a K-9 police officer, and was active in her Quaker community and at Mountain Friends Camp. Phoenix police interviewed family, friends, and neighbors, but the case grew cold and no suspects or arrests have been publicly identified. If anyone knew Brianna, saw her in south Phoenix in late December 2014, or has information that could help, please share what you know.