A man in Mesa, Arizona, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of his girlfriend, who was pregnant with twins. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing of Michael Owen Foster, 38, following an incident that took place in May 2021.
According to prosecutors, Mesa Police responded to a domestic violence call at the couple’s home. Upon arrival, officers found a woman dead in an upstairs bedroom while three young children were present inside the residence. Foster was located outside the home and told officers that he and his girlfriend had been arguing before the shooting occurred.
Investigators later discovered that the victim was pregnant with twins at the time of her death. During the investigation, Foster provided multiple accounts regarding what led up to the shooting. Prosecutors stated that “forensic evidence and witness statements contradicted” some of Foster’s explanations, “confirming his direct role in the fatal” incident.
“A mother, her unborn twins, and a family were destroyed by one violent, reckless act,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Domestic violence escalates quickly and can have devastating consequences, which is why our office will never stop pursuing justice for victims.”
Mesa is located about 20 miles east of Phoenix.
