Arizona executes a man who murdered his girlfriend's ex-husband

FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend's ex-husband was executed Wednesday, the second of four prisoners scheduled to be put to death this week in the U.S.

Aaron Brian Gunches, 53, was lethally injected with pentobarbital at the Arizona State Prison Complex in the town of Florence, John Barcello, deputy director of Arizona's department of corrections, told news outlets. He was pronounced dead at 10:33 a.m.

Gunches fatally shot Ted Price in the desert outside the Phoenix suburb of Mesa in 2002. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2007.

Sitting up on a gurney, covered with what looked like a white onesie and tucked in with a sheet, Gunches looked straight ahead and had no final words before the execution, witnesses said.

According to Barcello, the prisoner took a few heavy breaths and let out a snoring-type sound after the lethal injection.

“By all accounts, the process went according to plan without any incident at all," Barcello said.

Gunches’ execution had originally been scheduled for April 2023, but was called off after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered a review of the state’s death penalty procedures. Late last year, Hobbs fired the retired judge she had appointed to conduct the review, and the state’s corrections department announced changes in the team that lethally injects death row prisoners.

The lethal injection was administered through IVs inserted into Gunches’ arms, according to a handful of news media representatives who witnessed the execution. In the state’s two previous executions, the IV had been inserted into the prisoner’s femoral artery.

The media witnesses reported no visible problems with the execution. But Dale Baich, a former federal public defender who teaches death penalty law at Arizona State University and witnessed the execution, said he believed Gunches suffered from pulmonary edema, when fluid seeps into the lungs and causes people to drown in their own fluids.

“The eight deep breaths and chest heaving, the gurgling sounds, and Mr. Gunches trying to catch his breath, are all signs of pulmonary edema,” Baich said. “Even though it may have looked peaceful, it was not.”

The Associated Press left an email message with corrections officials seeking comment.

Michael Kiefer, of the Arizona Mirror, later said he did not see any shaking or jerking of Gunches’ abdomen. Medical experts have said those are among the movements that could be a sign of “acute” pulmonary edema, which causes pain akin to being suffocated or drowned.

For his last meal, Gunches had a double western bacon cheeseburger, two sandwiches, french fries, onion rings and baklava for dessert.

Gunches is the second person executed this week in the U.S. Louisiana executed a man on Tuesday, and two more executions were scheduled in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. Arizona is the first state with a Democratic governor to execute someone since 2017, when Virginia did so under then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

“The family of Ted Price has been waiting for justice for more than two decades,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said at a news conference following Wednesday’s execution. “They deserve closure.”

Price's sister Karen Price described her brother as a kind and loving person who enjoyed watching the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks and riding his motorcycle. She said her family was devastated by Ted’s death.

“I’d like to imagine we would be both enjoying our retirement and perhaps planning a trip together, rather than me coming here to witness the execution of a man that took his life,” Price said Wednesday.

She added that “closure” doesn’t capture the reality of the family’s situation. “Although we’ve taken the final step in the legal process, the pain of losing Ted remains profound and cannot be conveyed in mere words. It is a relief that we no longer have to deal with lawyers, sift through documents, check prison records, or communicate with victims’ advocates or reporters,” she said.

Ted Price’s daughter, Brittney Price, said in a statement distributed to the news media that the “pain of reliving the circumstances surrounding my father’s death for over two decades has taken a significant toll on my family and me.”

“Today marks the end of that painful chapter and I couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.

Authorities say Ted Price’s ex-wife struck him in the face with a phone during an argument in late 2002 at her apartment, leaving him conscious but dazed. Karen Price said her brother had threatened to report his ex to child welfare authorities for doing drugs in front of their children.

Gunches arrived at the apartment later. He asked two other women who were there with his girlfriend to put Price in a car and drive him to a bus station. But when they realized they didn’t have enough money for a bus ticket, they instead drove into the desert, where Gunches shot Price, authorities said.

Gunches was arrested in January 2003 after being pulled over by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper near the California state line. Gunches shot the trooper, who was saved by a bulletproof vest. Bullet casings from that shooting matched ammunition that had been found near Price’s body, and Gunches was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in October 2003.

Gunches, who represented himself even though he isn’t a lawyer, asked the Arizona Supreme Court in 2022 to issue an execution warrant against him to give closure to Price’s family. He later withdrew the request. The execution was scheduled anyway but later postponed amid the review ordered by Hobbs.

In late December, Gunches asked the state’s highest court to skip legal formalities and schedule his execution as soon as possible, saying his death sentence was “long overdue.” The court refused the request and later set his execution date for Wednesday. Gunches never addressed Price’s family while in the execution chamber, and an attorney for the family said he showed no remorse. Still, Gunches did not try to avoid being put to death — a month earlier he told the state’s clemency board that he was not seeking a reprieve.

When the board scheduled a meeting to confirm his wishes, he declined to participate, saying he delivered a similar message when waiving his chance at clemency in 2022.

“My position hasn’t changed,” Gunches wrote.

This story has been updated to correct the state attorney general's last name to Mayes, not Maye; to correct the account of media witness Michael Kiefer; and to correct attribution on a statement that Gunches showed no remorse.

Billeaud reported from Phoenix.

ADCRR Deputy Director John Barcello speaks about the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

ADCRR Deputy Director John Barcello speaks about the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Ashley Holden of ABC 15 Arizona speaks about witnessing the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches as counsel and family members of the victim look on during a press briefing at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Jose Angel Galavis of Telemundo speaks about witnessing the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz.(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Michael Kiefer of the Arizona Mirror speaks about witnessing the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Ashley Holden of ABC 15 Arizona speaks about witnessing the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Jimmy Jenkins of the Arizona Republic speaks about witnessing the execution of inmate Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

The Arizona State Prison is shown Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. where inmate Aaron Brian Gunches was executed. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

The Arizona State Prison is shown Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. where inmate Aaron Brian Gunches was executed. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Karen Price sister of Ted Price takes a moment as she speaks about the execution of Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Karen Price sister of Ted Price (pictured off the left) speaks about the execution of Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. Gunches murdered Ted Price in 2002. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Karen Price sister of Ted Price reacts as a letter is read from Ted Price's daughter Brittany after the execution of Aaron Brian Gunches at the Arizona State Prison Wednesday, March 19, 2025 in Florence, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry shows Aaron Brian Gunches, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 killing of Ted Price in Maricopa County, Ariz. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry via AP, File)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted there were no outstanding issues between him and Mohamed Salah after recalling the club great to the team for the 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Salah received a rapturous welcome from Liverpool fans after coming on as a first-half substitute and they chanted his name during and after the game at Anfield — including after he set up Hugo Ekitike for the second goal.

In an explosive outburst last weekend, Salah told reporters his relationship with Slot had broken down after being dropped for three straight games and that he felt like “someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

He was then left at home when Liverpool traveled to Inter Milan for a Champions League match on Tuesday, with Slot saying he did not know if Salah would play again for the club.

However, a few days later, Salah was back in the squad for the Brighton game after he held conversations with Slot on Friday.

“For me there is no issue to resolve. He is now the same as any other player,” Slot said after the game. “I usually never say anything about what we talk about, I am not going to make an exception now. But I think actions speak louder than what has been said and he was in the squad again.

“When I had to make my first substitution, I brought him in and he performed as every fan including me would like him to today. The moment he is there I like to use him when we need him. When he came in, he had the performance like you would want him to to give.”

After the final whistle, Salah applauded all four sides of Anfield — like some of his other teammates. Salah lingered in front of The Kop stand as fans chanted his name and patted the club crest on his jersey before leaving the pitch and heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Slot did not think that was a farewell gesture by Salah.

“He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch, thanking the fans because the fans deserved a thank you from us," Slot said. “Mo is going to go to AFCON. I hope he is going to do very well. And in the meantime, we have to play here without him, without many players."

Salah was an unused substitute for the 3-3 draw with Leeds last Saturday, after which he opened up on his frustrations. Before that, he'd been an unused sub in a win at West Ham and came on at halftime of a home draw against Sunderland.

Salah is Liverpool's biggest star and also the club’s record scorer in the Premier League. He has four league goals in 14 appearances this season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Carlos Baleba, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the bench before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the bench before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot applauds at the end of a Champions League, league phase, soccer match between Inter Milan and Liverpool in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Dec.9, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah smiles as he takes part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)