An Arizona man is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly killing his estranged wife in cold blood, then standing over her body and smoking a celebratory cigar. The chilling incident occurred in the garage of the couple’s Phoenix home on Monday night, with the couple’s teen daughter discovering the grisly scene.
Murder Details: Robert Marin Allegedly Shoots Wife
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Robert Marin, 60, shot his wife, Heather Marin, with four gunshots after an argument. The victim’s final moments were filled with her desperate pleas for her life. “Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me,” she is reported to have cried as the shots rang out.
When their daughter arrived at the scene, she found her father covered in blood and puffing on a cigar while standing over her mother’s lifeless body. She immediately yelled at her father, “Why would you do this?!” However, Marin reportedly responded by “shrugging his shoulders” before walking out of the garage. He later returned to the scene to continue smoking his cigar.
Daughter’s Attempt to Save Her Mother
The daughter, horrified by the scene, tried to perform CPR on her mother while also dialing 911 for help. Despite her efforts, Heather Marin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prior Argument and Tensions Leading to the Murder
The affidavit reveals that Robert Marin and Heather Marin had been experiencing marital issues, including an ongoing separation. Earlier in the evening, the couple had a verbal argument regarding their daughter staying with her father, which was reportedly filled with tension. During the argument, Marin expressed his hatred toward his wife, whom he was in the process of divorcing.
The daughter also reported that her father had made a heated phone call to Heather, telling her he could no longer handle their daughter and did not want her staying at his home anymore. This conversation likely fueled the escalating conflict between the couple.
Phone Calls and Mother’s Plea for Help
Around 8:39 p.m. and 9:09 p.m., the daughter received phone calls from her mother but did not answer, fearing it would further anger her father. Shortly after the second unanswered call, the daughter heard her mother’s screams and rushed to the garage, where she heard Heather pleading, “Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me,” followed by four gunshots.
Premeditation and Evidence of Indifference
Police believe the murder was premeditated, citing Robert Marin’s indifference after the shooting. Rather than attempting to help his wife, he chose to smoke a cigar while standing over her body. The affidavit details that Heather Marin’s plea for her life before being shot multiple times further supports the claim of premeditation.
Robert Marin’s Arrest
When authorities arrived at the home, they found Robert Marin inside the garage with blood on his clothes and shoes. A firearm, holster, and spent casings were discovered near the scene of the crime. Upon contact with deputies, Marin dropped to his knees and was detained without making any statements. Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol on Marin as he was transported for questioning.
Prior Domestic Violence and Threats
The daughter also told authorities about an unreported domestic violence incident in February 2026. During that incident, Robert Marin allegedly threatened to shoot his wife in the head and kill himself. Additionally, the daughter mentioned receiving text messages between her parents containing hateful and threatening language. She also confirmed that Marin was an avid gun owner, with numerous unsecured firearms throughout the house, including pistols and hunting rifles.
Charges and Bond
Robert Marin has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $2 million cash bond.
