Maurice (Melissa) Dupree Green (Ace of Spades, Arizona)

Jul 16, 2025

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Maurice – or Melissa, as they sometimes introduced themselves – was 22 when they were shot and killed in Phoenix, Arizona. They were just starting to build a name for themselves as a performer, making it to the regional final for American Idol and acting in dozens of local productions, including The Wiz, Westside Story, and Alice in Wonderland. But the curtain fell too soon…

According to friends and family, gender identity was fluid for Maurice. They sometimes presented as femme and went by Melissa, as they did the night of the shooting. This led both LGBTQ+ activists and local officials to fear that maybe this was a hate crime. Maybe… But investigators have struggled to pin down a definitive motive – and the killer.

If you have any information at all about the murder of Maurice Dupree Green, also known as Melissa, in March of 2006, please come forward. You can reach Detective Roestenberg directly at 602-534-5920 or the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151. And if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, you can also call the Silent Witness tip line at 480-948-6377.
If you or someone you know is affected by anti-LGBTQ+ violence or in need of support, you are not alone–help is available. For immediate crisis support, The Trevor Project offers 24/7 assistance for LGBTQ+ youth at 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678678. You can also contact the LGBT National Help Center at 1-888-843-4564 or visit lgbthotline.org.

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