Background: News footage of David Jimenez”s house in Phoenix, Ariz. (KPHO). Inset: Xzavion Johnson (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office).
A teenager in Arizona is accused of secretly living in a neighbor’s home for two weeks following the alleged murder of the homeowner, whose body was discovered in the backyard.
Xzavion Johnson, 18, was apprehended by the Phoenix Police Department on Monday. He faces charges of murder and burglary related to the death of 57-year-old David Jimenez. According to a police press release, officers visited Jimenez’s residence in Phoenix after receiving welfare check requests. Neighbors reported not seeing Jimenez for some time but noted suspicious activity suggesting someone was inhabiting his home.
Court documents obtained by CBS affiliate KPHO reveal that Johnson’s mother informed authorities she hadn’t seen her son since late December 2025. When she visited Jimenez’s house, she allegedly discovered a package on the porch addressed to her son, raising her suspicions.
She also reported a foul odor emanating from the backyard. Upon arrival, police discovered Jimenez’s body in a state of advanced decomposition. They found Johnson inside the house and attempted to communicate with him. After he barricaded himself for a prolonged period, he eventually exited the house and was taken into custody.
In police interviews, Johnson allegedly admitted to visiting Jimenez’s home on December 29, 2025, with the intention of committing a robbery. He reportedly carried a gun he had stolen 10 days prior. Upon finding an open side gate, he entered the property where Jimenez confronted him, leading to Johnson allegedly shooting and killing the older man.
During Johnson’s interview with police, he reportedly told them that he went to Jimenez’s home on Dec. 29, 2025, with the intent to rob him. He allegedly brought a gun with him that he had stolen 10 days earlier. Johnson apparently told police that he saw that the side gate to Jimenez’s home was open and entered the property. Jimenez spotted him, and he allegedly opened fire on the older man, killing him.
Police said Johnson covered Jimenez’s body with blankets. He then allegedly went inside the house and made himself at home. According to court documents, Johnson said he used Jimenez’s credit cards and drove his vehicle. He also allegedly used his neighbor’s address to order packages to the home.
Johnson’s mother told police that she was unaware of any connection between her son and Jimenez, a recently retired VA nurse whose family lived in New Mexico.
Johnson was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on “multiple” charges including murder and burglary. He is being held on $1 million cash bond.
