What should have been the beginning of a new chapter for a young bride ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
Just days after tying the knot, a woman in Phoenix, Arizona lost her life in the most brutal way—at the hands of the very man she had just married.
The Attack in a Parking Lot
Thirty-seven-year-old Aliccia Grant and her new husband, 36-year-old Stephen Dennis, were sitting in their red Prius outside a Home Depot when things took a horrific turn.
Authorities say the couple had been discussing the possibility of annulling their marriage when Dennis suddenly became violent.
He stabbed Grant multiple times as she sat in the driver’s seat.
Witnesses nearby were startled by her desperate screams and rushed over to help, only to find her bleeding heavily inside the car.
A Chilling Final Words
When officers arrived on the scene, they fought to keep her alive, applying pressure to her wounds.
In those final, devastating moments, Grant used her dying breath to identify her attacker. She named Dennis as the one who had stabbed her.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, she later died from her injuries.
The Husband’s Confession
Dennis fled on foot after the stabbing, carrying a bag from the car and even arguing with a bystander before disappearing.
But not long after, he called 911 himself—admitting to the killing and telling police where they could recover the murder weapon.
Justice in the Courtroom
Nearly a year later, on August 18, 2025, Dennis was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned the crime in the strongest terms, calling it “an act of betrayal carried out by someone who should have been a source of safety, not fear.”
Mitchell added that what made the attack even more cruel was that it happened in a relationship that was supposed to be built on trust and protection.
Remembering Aliccia
For her loved ones, the tragedy is compounded by the fact that Grant leaves behind two children, now ages nine and 15.
A GoFundMe was created to cover funeral expenses and to help support the children’s future.
Her family described her as someone full of hope and energy, a woman who chased her dreams with determination.
Grant was a self-made entrepreneur, cosmetologist, author, and model—roles she embraced with pride and perseverance.
A Legacy of Love and Strength
In messages shared on the fundraiser page, her family said she will always be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and above all, a devoted mother.
They recalled her ability to inspire others with her “endlessly hopeful energy” and said she never saw any dream as too big to chase.
Thanks to community support, the family was able to host a “celebration of life” that honored her spirit.
Their focus now is ensuring her children are cared for and supported as they move forward.
“During this very tough time, we choose not to be reminded of her passing, but instead, we celebrate the way she lived her life,” they wrote.
“We thank everyone for your outpouring of love. It means the world to us.”
