Man in Arizona allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death, then claimed no memory of the incident

A man in Tempe, Arizona, stabbed his girlfriend to death then claimed he had no memory of his alleged attack, according to police. 

When Tempe police officers responded to the call around 3:30 a.m. April 18, they were directed to the apartment clubhouse and found Tammy Begay, 23, with multiple stab wounds, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.

The victim was transported to the hospital, where she later died.

The suspect, Mason Nez, 23, was also found in the clubhouse. Police say he struggled while being arrested, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.

Authorities say Nez and Begay were in the clubhouse since 9:30 p.m. One of Nez’s friends said they weren’t arguing before the stabbing.

Investigators recovered surveillance video of Nez assaulting Begay numerous times. Allegedly, the attacks lasted until moments before police arrived, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.

The recording had no audio, so police are still looking for a motive for the incident.

"It appears that Mason stops his attack moments prior to the arrival of his friend and the officer, each time and then continues his attack after his friend leaves, before he is finally detained," investigators wrote in court documents obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.

Nez was taken to the hospital for treatment after the stabbing.

"While at the hospital, he made spontaneous statements to the officer with him that he wanted the officer to kill him so he did not have to go to prison," court documents read.

In an interview with police,  Nez claimed that he was drinking alcohol and that he could not remember the attack or any other details that night after going to the clubhouse, investigators noted. 

"When informed that the victim was deceased, Mason had almost no reaction and stated he is used to receiving bad news," investigators wrote in court documents obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. "He elaborated that his father and grandmother had recently passed away."

Police say there were two incidents involving Nez in March and July of 2020 and both included allegations of assault against Begay.

Nez is accused of first-degree murder and is being held on $1.5 million bond.