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Man Found Guilty in Decade-Old Scottsdale Murder
Ian Mitcham convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, and sexual assault in 2015 killing of Allison Feldman
Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:21pm
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As tensions over autonomous vehicles escalate, a recent wave of targeted street vandalism exposes pent-up frustration with driverless technology.Phoenix TodayIan Mitcham, 50, has been found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, and sexual assault in connection with the 2015 killing of Allison Feldman in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mitcham was arrested in 2018 after investigators used familial DNA to link him to the crime scene, though a legal battle over the DNA evidence delayed the trial for several years.
Why it matters
This case highlights the growing use of forensic genealogy and familial DNA searches to solve cold cases, even when traditional DNA evidence is limited. However, it also underscores the complex legal issues around privacy rights and the scope of consent when it comes to DNA collection and analysis.
The details
According to court documents, Feldman was found dead in her Scottsdale home in February 2015, having been strangled, beaten, and sexually assaulted. Investigators said the crime scene was one of the worst they had encountered. Mitcham, who was working at a deli at the time of his 2018 arrest, was identified as the suspect through a familial DNA search that led police to a partial match in the state's DNA database. Mitcham's own DNA, collected during a previous DUI arrest, was later matched to evidence from the crime scene.
- Feldman was found dead on February 18, 2015.
- Mitcham was arrested on April 10, 2018.
- In January 2023, a judge initially ruled the DNA evidence inadmissible.
- In August 2023, an appeals court reversed the judge's ruling.
- In December 2024, the state Supreme Court ruled the DNA evidence could be used at trial.
The players
Ian Mitcham
A 50-year-old man who was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, and sexual assault in the 2015 killing of Allison Feldman.
Allison Feldman
A Scottsdale woman who was murdered in her home in 2015.
Harley Feldman
Allison Feldman's father, who recounted how the family knew something was wrong when they couldn't reach her.
John Heinzelman
A Scottsdale Police Detective who described the crime scene as "one of the worst" he had encountered.
What they’re saying
“We knew something was wrong. She hadn't called all day. We hadn't heard from her the night before. Her phone was off. In sales, your phone is never off.”
— Harley Feldman, Allison Feldman's father
“This case was one of the worst scenes that I've been to.”
— John Heinzelman, Scottsdale Police Detective
What’s next
Mitcham will be sentenced at a later date for his convictions on first-degree murder, burglary, and sexual assault charges.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing use of forensic genealogy and familial DNA searches to solve cold cases, but also the complex legal issues around privacy rights and the scope of consent when it comes to DNA collection and analysis. The Supreme Court's ruling that Mitcham's DNA could be used despite initial concerns over the search's legality underscores the evolving legal landscape around these investigative techniques.
