Galareka Harrison was an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Arizona in 2007.
She was roommates with 18-year-old Mia Janelle Henderson, and both women seemed to have bright futures.
Both women’s lives changed forever after Harrison stole Henderson’s college ID, a couple of her checks, and $500.
Henderson confronted her about the theft and called the police. Harrison told authorities she wasn’t behind the theft.
On September 5th, 2007, a week after the accusation, Harrison violently attacked Henderson with a knife inside the Graham-Greelee Dorm on the university’s campus.
Henderson had 23 wounds and did not survive.
Harrison was taken in for questioning and blamed the attacker on an unknown man. After some time, she confessed.
She went to trial with her defense, saying she was bullied. The jury didn’t buy it. She was convicted of first-degree murder, three counts of forgery, and identity theft.
She was sentenced to life without parole for the murder and four concurrent sentences of 2 years and 6 months for the other convictions.
She appealed, saying her attorney was inadequate and failed to raise issues from her past that may have affected the sentence she received.
She was denied a new trial but granted a resentencing hearing.
She was resentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years in April 2013.
DOB:
March 26, 1989Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder
- Forgery (3 counts)
- Identify theft
Date of crime:
September 5th, 2007Location(s):
Tucson, AZDate of arrest:
Same dayDetails:
Killed her roommate because the roommate reported her for stealing.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Mia Janelle Henderson (18)
Method:
StabbingSentence:
25 to lifeCurrent whereabouts:
Perryville State Prison in Goodyear, AZ. Lumley unit.Last Updated on 11/16/2025