Shannon Higgins: Phoenix murder victim’s roommate sentenced

PHOENIX – On December 4, a Phoenix court handed down a verdict for a woman male roommate was murdered in 2023.

The woman, Shannon Higgins, admitted obstructing law enforcement following the death of 49-year-old Jake Kelly. In court Wednesday, a judge sentenced Higgins to three years probation, the same sentence that was recommended.

The incident occurred at the home in north Phoenix

We’ve already reported on Kelly’s murder. According to police, Kelly was found unresponsive in the driveway of a home near Cave Creek Road and Grovers Avenue on August 27, 2023. Kelly’s face was reportedly unrecognizable following the incident.

“Trauma to his brain. He had three different injuries to his brain. His face was bruised. “He had to undergo eight hours of plastic surgery and they couldn’t even use his bones because they were pulverized,” said Kelly’s mother, Jan Kelly.

Jan flew to see Kelly, but his health continued to deteriorate. He had broken ribs, his colon had to be removed and his kidney began to fail.

“Soon there was no hope, so I had to make the decision,” Jan said.

Police said Kelly died as a result of his injuries on September 8, 2023.

Another suspect also pleaded guilty

Higgins is one of three people arrested in connection with the incident. Another suspect, also identified as Cory Young admitted to obstructing the investigation in Kelly’s death. The roommates are accused of waiting hours before getting Kelly’s help, and Young is still awaiting sentencing.