The state of Arizona carried out a long-delayed execution Friday morning, finally concluding a case that haunted a family and community for more than 30 years.

Richard Kenneth Djerf was executed on Oct. 17, for the 1993 killings of four members of the Luna family in Phoenix, marking the state's second use of capital punishment this year, as ABC 15 reports.

Djerf, 57, was pronounced dead at 10:40 a.m. following a lethal injection administered at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. The execution came after decades of court proceedings and incarceration for one of the state's most brutal crimes in recent memory.

In 1993, Djerf killed Albert Luna Sr., his wife Patricia, their teenage daughter Rochelle, and 5-year-old son Damien. Prosecutors said the murders were driven by revenge. Djerf blamed Albert Luna Jr., a former friend, for stealing electronics from his apartment. Luna Jr. was not present during the attack and ultimately became the only surviving immediate family member.

Deception led to deadly attack

According to court records, Djerf gained entry to the Luna family’s home by posing as a flower delivery person. Once inside, he carried out what prosecutors described as a calculated and vicious assault on the unsuspecting family.

The violence of the attack shocked even seasoned investigators. Details from trial proceedings described how Djerf methodically restrained and killed each family member. Authorities said it was clear the act was premeditated and fueled by a false sense of vengeance.

Djerf later pleaded guilty to four counts of murder, sparing the victims' relatives from having to relive the events through a lengthy trial. He received the death penalty in 1995, and he remained on death row for nearly three decades.

Execution process, final moments unfold

Djerf's execution was conducted under close supervision late Friday morning. Prison staff experienced minor delays in locating a suitable vein for the lethal injection, but officials confirmed that once the injection was administered, Djerf was declared dead within six minutes.

Earlier this year, Djerf had written a handwritten statement declining to seek clemency. “If I can’t find reason to spare my life, what reason would anyone else have?” he wrote, adding, “I hope my death brings some measure of peace.”

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which had pursued the execution warrant, did not offer a response to Djerf’s final words. However, Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a statement emphasizing that justice had been served.

Community, legal leaders react

“Those four innocent victims deserve justice, and their loved ones deserve closure,” Mayes said in a brief statement released by her office shortly after the execution. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also issued a statement lauding the decision to carry out the sentence. "There are some crimes so unspeakable, so devoid of humanity, that justice demands the ultimate punishment,” she said.

Mitchell further called Djerf’s actions “pure evil,” referencing the emotional and psychological toll the killings have taken on the Luna family -- from their surviving son to the broader circle of relatives impacted by the violence. “Today was a day of final justice -- not only for the memory of the four innocent lives he took, but also for the only surviving son and the extended Luna family,” she said.

Capital punishment resumes

Djerf’s death marks the second execution carried out by Arizona in 2025. In March, the state executed Aaron Brian Gunches for the 2002 murder of Ted Price. Arizona resumed executions in 2022 after an eight-year pause due to concerns over drug protocols.

High-level legal officials have defended the recent uptick in executions, stating that they are necessary steps toward justice in particularly heinous cases. Opponents of the death penalty continue to express concerns about its application and ethical implications, but the state has reaffirmed its position in capital cases such as these.

Lessons to learn

While nothing can fully prevent the actions of someone determined to do harm, there are key reminders that can help reduce risk and promote awareness:

1. Be cautious when receiving unverified deliveries. Djerf used a ruse involving flowers to gain entry into the Luna family's home. Always verify the identity of anyone requesting access to your residence, especially if they arrive without prior notice.

2. Know your surroundings and build community ties. Being familiar with your neighborhood and having strong community connections can create a safety net. Reporting suspicious behavior and checking in on each other can prove invaluable.

3. Remember that blame belongs only with the perpetrator. No safety measure or precaution makes someone responsible for being victimized. This case reminds us that evil actions are the sole responsibility of the one who commits them—and that justice must center on that principle.

Why this story matters

This story carries weight not only because of the violence involved, but because it affected an entire family and community. It jump-started conversations about justice, accountability, and the ways in which the legal system handles capital punishment.

As the community reflects on the pain inflicted decades ago, the conclusion of this case serves as a somber but necessary reminder of the enduring impact of violent crime on victims and their loved ones.