Warning: Graphic content
A 28-year-old woman, who was found guilty of stabbing her boyfriend almost 30 times, explained why she decided to smile when police took her mugshot.
Travis Alexander was only 30 years old when he was found dead in the bathroom of his home in Mesa, Arizona, with 27 stab wounds and a slit in his throat.
Less than two years earlier, he had met and formed an instant connection with Jodi Arias at a company convention in Las Vegas.
Advert
Since Alexander lived in Arizona and Arias lived in California, the pair struck up a long-distance relationship. However, friends soon started expressing concerns about their romance.
Speaking to 20/20, friend Lovingier Hughes said: "I started seeing things that were just disturbing. I said, 'Travis, I'm afraid we're gonna find you chopped up in her freezer.' ... From very early on, she was completely obsessed with him."
The couple ultimately appeared to split up, but they stayed in contact and Arias would still show up to Alexander's house on occasion.
In June 2008, Alexander went missing before a trip he had planned to Cancun. His body was found in his home, and a camera was found featuring photos of Alexander and Arias from the day of the murder.
Advert
As Arias was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, police took her in for a mugshot.
Unlike the serious faces most people adopt in mugshots, Arias appeared to be posing for the camera with a smile on her face.
She later spoke out about the decision in a recorded interview, saying: "I just want to address that because I think people don't really understand.
"There are a few reasons I did that, and one is that - what would Travis do if he were in this situation? This is why I'm here."
Arias went on to claim that Alexander would be 'smiling', saying: "He would just flash this grin that he always does."
Advert
On top of that, Arias noted that she knew the picture would be 'all over the internet', indicating that she wanted to make sure she looked her best.
Amid her trial, Arias testified on the stand for 19 days, during which time she alleged Alexander had become aggressive when she dropped his new camera.
She then claimed she shot him, but that she did not remember stabbing him or cutting his throat.
Arias was ultimately found guilty of murder, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Advert
Before she was sentenced, Arias expressed remorse over her crime.
"To this day, I can’t believe that I was capable of doing something that terrible,” she said. “I’m truly disgusted and repulsed with myself. I’m horrified because of what I did, and I wish there was some way I could take it back.”
Topics: Crime, US News, Sex and Relationships