Arizona man stabs wife 24 times, leaves her with multiple wounds on head, neck, and face; confesses big motive behind attack

A chilling case has emerged in Arizona, where a man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife 24 times, leaving her with multiple wounds on July 11, 2026 (Saturday). The horrific incident came to light after the Mesa Police Department responded to a stabbing call at an apartment complex in the 4200 block of East University Drive in Mesa, Arizona, at around 4:30 p.m. local time, according to a statement shared with PEOPLE.

The suspect was identified as Nathaniel Gotham, 32. He called 911 and admitted to stabbing his wife at their east Mesa apartment, AZ Family reported, citing a police report that stated he wanted her to stop talking.

Upon arrival, police officers found the woman with serious injuries and Gotham on top of her, covered in blood. Officers immediately began assisting the injured victim as she was bleeding profusely. She was rushed to a hospital and is in stable condition, Mesa police said in a statement on Sunday (July 12, 2026).


According to the police report, the victim suffered 16 stab wounds to her back, along with additional injuries to her head, neck, and face. Police also said she had cuts on her hands consistent with defensive wounds, AZ Family reported. Court documents state that the couple had been together for about 14 years, including four years of marriage, and did not have any children together.

Why did Gotham attack his wife?

When questioned about the motive behind stabbing his wife, Gotham reportedly told police that he wanted to hurt her and for her to stop talking, the police report revealed. He reportedly told investigators that he “snapped” when he stabbed his wife 24 times, according to the outlet. He also reportedly admitted to having attacked his wife before and to choking her during an argument years prior.

During Saturday’s attack, Gotham told his wife that he had “wasted the best years of my life" and that he had “ended up with the wrong woman,” as quoted by AZ Family.

Wife stable after attack, husband booked

The victim was in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, the Mesa Police Department told PEOPLE. Gotham was booked on a charge of attempted second-degree murder-DV, a class 2 felony. According to online jail records, his bond has been set at $500,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, July 17.