PHOENIX, Ariz. — Aaron Gunches, the man responsible for the death of Ted Price nearly 23 years ago, was executed by lethal injection in Arizona on March 19, the day which would have marked Price’s 63rd birthday. Price, a father of two and aspiring radiology technician, was tragically shot in the desert, leaving his family to grapple with the painful void his untimely death created.
Ted Price’s life was cut short when he was just 40 years old. Described by his sister, Karen Price, as a loving son, brother, uncle, and father, his death left profound scars on those who knew him. Karen was present at Gunches’ execution and expressed a desire for her brother to be remembered not just for the manner of his death, but for the life he led and the dreams he held.
According to Karen, Ted was the bedrock of their family, and his violent demise changed everything. “His daughter, Brittney, was 16, and his son, Justin, was 14, when he was killed. They have spent more than half of their adult lives without their father,” she said. Ted had envisioned a future filled not only with personal aspirations but with pivotal family moments—walking his daughter down the aisle, witnessing his son’s military achievements—that were all stolen from him.
Growing up in Utah, Ted shared a strong bond with his three sisters. His death not only shattered their sibling circle but also his wider community. Karen shared memories of her brother as a charming, companionable individual who thrived on his passions for sports, music, and his love for animals, particularly cats, with whom he shared a special bond.
Karen unfolded the events leading to her brother’s death, explaining that Ted had planned to stay temporarily with an ex-girlfriend while waiting for student housing to open up for his radiology course in Arizona. Upon arriving, he discovered the home had become a hub for drug use. Ted’s attempt to confront this situation spiraled tragically out of control, culminating in Gunches, associated with the ex-girlfriend, forcing Ted into a vehicle and driving him to the desert where he was fatally shot on November 14, 2002.
“Ted was killed for doing the right thing. A senseless crime that robbed the world of a genuinely kind man,” Karen recounted. Ted’s body was not discovered until 23 days later, deepening the tragedy with the harrowing delay in closure for his grieving family.
Despite the execution of Aaron Gunches bringing a form of legal closure, Karen stated, “Nothing will ever bring Ted back. So, we’ve had no choice but to move forward without him.” She described the event not as a conclusion, but as a waypoint in the family’s ongoing journey of grief and healing.
As Ted’s life and legacy continue to be remembered by those he left behind, the question persists on the broader implications of such acts of violence and the justice system’s role in addressing the ripples caused by such tragedies. While Ted Price’s life was unduly stolen, the memory and the impact of his being resonate through his family, echoing the loss felt by all who knew him.