Allister Adel was a prominent figure in Arizona’s legal system. She was the first woman to serve as the county attorney of Maricopa, the most populous county in the state and home to Phoenix. She was also the first woman to be elected to that office in November 2020. However, her tenure was cut short by health issues and controversies that led to her resignation in March 2022. She died a month later, on April 30, 2022, at the age of 45. What was Allister Adel’s cause of death? How did she die? Here are some facts and details about her life and death.
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A Career as a Prosecutor and a Reformer
Allister Adel was born on November 11, 1976, in Dallas, Texas. She attended an all-girls school, The Hockaday School, before moving to Arizona for college. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in criminology. She then worked as a criminal court administrator at the Maricopa County Superior Court from 1999 to 2001.
She decided to pursue a career as a prosecutor and enrolled in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where she graduated in 2004. She joined the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor, working in the vehicular crimes, gang and drug enforcement bureaus. She gained experience and reputation as a tough and effective lawyer, handling high-profile cases such as DUIs, homicides, and sexual assaults.
In 2015, she briefly served as the general counsel for the Department of Child Safety, where she sent a memo to Governor Doug Ducey under the state’s whistle-blower statute regarding his appointment of Greg McKay as DCS Director. The details of the memo were never revealed, but it was speculated that it raised concerns about McKay’s qualifications and conduct.
From 2016 to 2018, she was the executive director for the Maricopa County Bar Association, where she advocated for professionalism and ethics among lawyers. She also served on various boards and committees related to criminal justice reform, such as the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council.
In 2019, she was appointed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors as the interim county attorney, replacing Bill Montgomery who was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court by Ducey. She was the first woman to hold that position in the county’s history. She ran for election in 2020 as a Republican and defeated Democrat Julie Gunnigle with 46.45% of the vote.
As the county attorney, she implemented several reforms aimed at making the office more transparent, accountable, and fair. She revamped pretrial diversion programs, established a prosecution integrity unit, altered plea policies, and created community advisory boards. She also fired Juan Martinez, a notorious death penalty prosecutor who was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. He had handled the famous Jodi Arias murder trial that was broadcast nationwide.
She said that her goal was to balance public safety with justice and compassion. She said that she wanted to “change the culture” of the office and “restore trust” with the community. She said that she believed in “smart justice” that focused on prevention, rehabilitation, and accountability.
A Fall That Changed Everything
On November 3, 2020, Allister Adel made history by becoming the first woman elected as the county attorney of Maricopa. However, on that same night, she suffered a life-threatening injury that would alter her fate.
She had fallen and hit her head nine days earlier, resulting in a blood clot in her brain. She did not seek medical attention until she started feeling unwell on election night. She was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove the clot and stop the bleeding.
She remained hospitalized for two months and had a second surgery in January 2021. She suffered from memory loss, speech impairment, vision problems, and mobility issues. She also developed depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and alcoholism.
She returned to work in February 2021 but faced criticism for her absence and lack of communication with her staff and the public. Some questioned her ability and fitness to lead the office amid several controversial cases involving police shootings, protests, and elections.
She also faced allegations of favoritism and nepotism for hiring her friends and relatives to key positions in the office. She denied any wrongdoing and said that she hired qualified people who shared her vision and values.
She checked herself into a rehab facility in California in August 2021 to address her mental health and substance abuse issues. She said that she wanted to “focus on healing” and “be the best version” of herself. She said that she was grateful for the support and prayers from her family, friends, and colleagues.
A Resignation and a Death
On March 25, 2022, Allister Adel announced her resignation as the county attorney of Maricopa. She said that it was a “difficult decision” but that it was “in the best interest” of her health, family, and the office. She said that she was proud of her accomplishments and thanked her staff for their dedication and service.
She also endorsed Rachel Mitchell, her chief deputy, to succeed her as the county attorney. Mitchell had been serving as the acting county attorney since Adel’s hospitalization in 2020. Mitchell was later appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy until the next election in 2024.
On April 30, 2022, Allister Adel died of unspecified health complications, according to her family. She was 45 years old. She is survived by her husband, David DeNitto, and their two children.
Her family issued a statement saying that they were “devastated” by her loss and that they were “so proud” of her achievements. They said that she was a “loving wife and mother, a dedicated public servant, and a fierce advocate for justice.”
Her death was mourned by many public officials, colleagues, and friends who praised her for her courage, integrity, and compassion. They said that she was a trailblazer, a reformer, and a leader who made a positive impact on the community.
Allister Adel’s cause of death was not disclosed by her family or the authorities. However, it is likely that it was related to the brain injury she sustained in 2020 and the subsequent complications she endured. She had a history of health problems, including diabetes and thyroid cancer.
She also struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues that may have contributed to her death. She had admitted that she used alcohol to cope with stress and pain. She had sought treatment for her addiction and eating disorder but may have relapsed or suffered a setback.
Allister Adel’s cause of death may remain a mystery, but her legacy will live on. She was a remarkable woman who broke barriers and made history in Arizona’s legal system. She was a passionate prosecutor who sought to balance public safety with justice and compassion. She was a human being who faced challenges and hardships with courage and grace. She will be remembered and missed by many.
