In October 2020, Alfredo Gutierrez was accused of murdering Lee Rice, whose body was discovered in the guest bedroom of Gutierrez’s brother’s home. Rice was found inside a barrel, bound with zip-ties around his wrists, ankles, and neck.
Lee Rice’s mother, Colleen Rice, is grappling with profound grief. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” she admitted, still trying to make sense of the years she spent fighting for justice for her son. Securing charges against Gutierrez proved difficult and protracted. During the initial attempt to bring the case to trial in 2021, a key witness was deported, leading to a lengthy search to locate him.
Throughout this ordeal, Colleen Rice was relentless in her advocacy, writing letters to judges and the county attorney to ensure her son’s case remained in the spotlight. The trial was excruciating for her, as she was forced to confront the brutal details repeatedly. “What really shook me was to find out how tight the zip-tie was around his neck,” she reflected.
Rice had hoped the trial would finally bring justice for her son. “I am just so royally pissed that in the state of Arizona, county of Maricopa, city of Phoenix, you’re allowed to have a dead body of a murdered person in your house upside down in a barrel,” she said. Despite photos showing blood scattered throughout the home, Rice was dismayed by the lack of DNA evidence and fingerprints. She struggled to understand why the presence of her son’s body wasn’t enough for a conviction on any of the charges. “I thought that was kidnapping, but the jury found him innocent of that,” she remarked.
Holding onto the cherished memories of her son’s childhood, Colleen Rice is uncertain about her future. “I’m done with hope,” she said, reflecting her deep disillusionment.
A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office indicated that while the murder charge was dismissed without prejudice, there are currently no plans to refile. However, this stance could change if new evidence emerges or a new witness comes forward. “The whole thing is disturbing to realize that your loved one can be there for that length of time and nobody gets charged. Nobody,” Rice said.
The jury in Gutierrez’s trial was unable to reach a verdict on the second-degree murder charge, ending in a deadlock. Although Gutierrez was acquitted of kidnapping and aggravated assault, the trial concluded without a resolution on the most serious charge.