Families Hold Silent Protest at Arizona Capitol
Relatives of unsolved homicide and missing persons victims gathered in Phoenix to draw attention to cases still awaiting justice.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Arizona families affected by unsolved homicides and missing persons cases held a silent protest called the Empty Chair Project outside the state Capitol in Phoenix. Participants set out empty chairs representing loved ones, and ten people were honored at the event.
Why it matters
The gathering, held as the holiday season approaches, put a spotlight on families who continue to wait for answers in unresolved cases. It also signals organizers' push to build a lasting advocacy effort across the state.
Ten people were honored at the protest, including Loretta Lynn, murdered in Mesa in June 1988, and Destiny McClain and Detrick Stanford, killed in Phoenix and Tempe. The extraction does not state current charges, court dates, or arrests in these cases.
The players
Empty Chair Project
A family-led advocacy effort that uses empty chairs to represent victims of unsolved homicides and missing persons cases in Arizona.
The details
Place settings, stones, pictures and name cards filled a table at the Capitol, with each chair representing a person whose family is still awaiting justice. The protest was the first held under the Empty Chair Project name.
Timeline
June 1988: Loretta Lynn was murdered in Mesa.
December 2020: Detrick Stanford was shot and killed outside his apartment complex in Tempe.
2021: Destiny McClain was shot and killed in Phoenix while ordering at a food truck.
November 3, 2026: The Empty Chair Project protest was held at the state Capitol.
Legal Context
The Empty Chair Project's first event centered on unsolved cases spanning decades, from a June 1988 Mesa homicide to a 2021 Phoenix shooting. Organizers' stated goal of becoming an official nonprofit and meeting with state leaders signals an effort to push these cold and open cases further into Arizona's policy conversation.
Arizona residents concerned about unsolved violent crimes in their communities can follow the Empty Chair Project's planned additional events and state meetings. The protest format is designed to keep these cases visible to the public heading into the holiday season.
The takeaway
Unsolved cases often remain open for decades, and families are increasingly organizing to keep them in the public eye. Readers interested in these issues can support local victim advocacy efforts and stay informed about how state officials respond.
Further reading
Explore more Criminal Justice coverage from across Arizona.
