A slain ASU administrator was likely stabbed and left to die by a man that he knew, according to Phoenix police.
John Babb, a 56-year-old east Phoenix resident and assistant vice provost for information technology at ASU, was killed in his home sometime on Saturday, said Phoenix police spokesman Tony Morales.
The suspect in the alleged murder, 29-year-old Fabian Gutierrez Lopez, a transient from Mexico, was arrested early Wednesday morning after Babb's missing car was found, Morales said.
Babb was stabbed multiple times with scissors and wrapped in a blanket while still alive, Morales said.
Morales said one of Babb's colleagues and friends became concerned and visited Babb's house when Babb didn't come to work on Monday morning. Phoenix police then received a call that same morning reporting Babb missing.
When officers arrived at the scene, loud music was playing and Babb's car was missing, Morales said.
Morales said the music was likely played to muffle Babb's cries for help, because Babb was still alive when the alleged killer left the house.
No signs showed that Babb's killer broke into the house, Morales said, adding that Lopez and Babb were involved in an on-and-off relationship. Babb likely invited Lopez into his home, and an argument ensued.
"[Lopez] did not force entry," Morales said. "[Lopez and Babb] knew each other and [Lopez] came to enter the building at the request of the victim."
Babb likely was stabbed during the argument, and then Lopez allegedly fled the scene, Morales said.
ASU spokeswoman Terri Shafer said grief counselors from ASU's employee assistance program have been helping to comfort Babb's friends and coworkers.
"Obviously we're shocked that it happened," Shafer said.
Reach the reporter at nicole.saidi@asu.edu.
