Suspected serial killer accused of killing 9 people in 3 weeks

An Arizona man is accused of killing nine people in a three-week span, including his mother and stepfather.

Cleophus Cooksey Jr. was arrested after fatally shooting his parents in Phoenix on Dec. 17, but investigators have now tied him to seven other murders, according to the Arizona Republic.

The bodies of Rene Cooksey and Edward Nunn were found in the living room of their home, according to the newspaper. All the slayings took place between Nov. 27 and Dec. 17 in the Phoenix area.

The nine murders lacked a regular pattern, and could not all be connected to Cooksey until he was in custody, the Republic reported. The victims include the brother of Cooksey's former girlfriend, but the other victims appear to be random.

Authorities say Maria Villanueva, 43, was sexually assaulted and murdered by Cooksey on Dec. 16. The first two victims, 27-year-old Andrew Remillard and 21-year-old Parker Smith, were killed on Nov. 27.

A close examination of Cooksey's gun linked him to the victims, according to the newspaper. Many, if not all the victims, were shot.

The suspected serial killer, who is 35, was convicted of manslaughter when he was just 18, according to the newspaper. Cooksey and four others had attempted to rob a topless bar in Phoenix.