Facing the Court: Brianna Elise Zerth’s Complicated Legal Journey Continues
Brianna Elise Zerth, 30, was arrested in Arizona for allegedly killing her cousin, Peter McKenna Jr., using a claw hammer. She faces charges of second-degree intentional murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence.

Brianna Elise Zerth, 33, fatally kills her cousin using a claw hammer. (PHOTO: iSTOCK)
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Claw Hammer Tragedy Unveiled: Brianna Elise Zerth Faces Arrest in Shocking Cousin’s Murder Case
In Arizona, a 30-year-old woman named Brianna Elise Zerth faced arrest after allegedly using a claw hammer to kill her 33-year-old cousin, Peter McKenna Jr., in his home last year. The arrest followed a true bill indictment by a Maricopa County grand jury, charging her with second-degree intentional murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with physical evidence connected to the slaying. The incident was brought to light on May 5, 2022, when the Peoria Police Department responded to an emergency call reporting McKenna’s death at a residence on 112th Avenue and W. Diana Avenue.
According to Law and Crime, court documents revealed that McKenna had sustained multiple puncture wounds on his back, inflicted by the claw hammer discovered at the scene. Brianna Elise Zerth claimed they had been drinking alcohol and got into a fight the previous night, but details were blurry. She stated that she woke up to find McKenna dead and attempted to cover the body before calling the police. Brianna Elise Zerth later asserted that McKenna had been strangling her during the altercation, supporting her claim with evidence from the medical examiner. This self-defense argument presented a challenge for prosecutors, leading them to seek additional information and refer the case back to law enforcement.
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Second Arrest Raises Questions: Brianna Elise Zerth’s Troubling Legal Journey
Despite being released initially due to lack of evidence, Brianna Elise Zerth’s legal woes resurfaced in June 2022 when she was apprehended once again, this time for allegedly attempting to run over her ex-boyfriend with her car. The charges leveled against her included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangerment. However, she opted to plead guilty to a lesser offense, resulting in a probationary sentence. This was reported in Fox 5 News.
As the court proceedings unfold, Brianna Elise Zerth is now preparing to face her arraignment. However, the County Prosecutor’s Office and Peoria Police Department have remained tight-lipped about the details surrounding her re-arrest in connection with the murder of her cousin, Peter McKenna Jr. The community eagerly awaits further updates as they seek answers to the harrowing events that led to this tragic outcome.
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