Photos: Remembering Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella, 47, a talented actor and singer who struggled with alcoholism and mental illness throughout his adult life, was murdered and buried in a shallow grave at the now-closed DeAnza Drive-in theater near 22nd Street and Alvernon Way. Construction workers unearthed Mazzarella’s remains in May 2012. He was identified earlier this month through DNA his mother, Judy Cook, provided to a national registry for families of the missing when she reported his disappearance in early 2010. See him throughout the years in this gallery.
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella, left, singing, ca. 1975. He won first place in the City Wide Talent Show that year. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella in Pee Wee football in Tucson in 1974. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella in his role in Finian's Rainbow in 1980. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Chris Mazzarella, right, during rehearsal in 1980 for Southern Arizona Light Opera Co. production of Finian's Rainbow. Photo by Kip Peasley / Southwestern Photo
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Mazzarella in 2007 with his mother, Judy Cook, after Mazzarella completed a VA substance abuse program. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Undated photo of Christopher Mazzarella with his only son. Courtesy Judy Cook
Chris Mazzarella
Christopher Louis Mazzarella (Photo courtesy of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System)
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Most Popular
The annual Fourth of July extravaganza over "A" Mountain took place July 4, 2026, Tucson, Ariz., for the last time. The city is converting fro…
Armory Park, closed for nearly nine months for a $1.71 million upgrade, renovation and improvement, reopened with a concert, circus arts, food…
Fans at Playground watch the shorthanded US get an insurance goal late to win 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina and advance in the World Cup …
For the month of July, guests can watch animals crush, roll, lick and engulf watermelons during Watermelon Wednesdays at the Reid Park Zoo. Su…
FC Tucson drop in-state rivals Stars FC 4-1 in a pre-Fourth of July USL League 2 match up, Tucson, Ariz., July 3, 2026.
Don't miss Wednesday's most popular stories from Arizona Daily Star.
Get a recap of Tuesday's local news stories from Arizona Daily Star.
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
Thursday's news: What you missed while you were at work.
Scattered cells dropped heavy rains, lightning and high winds throughout valley, June 25, 2026, from the foothills to Vail as Monsoon 2026 con…