Suspect in Lyft fatal stabbing was an aspiring model

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing a pregnant Lyft driver Sunday morning was an aspiring model and actor, according to someone who photographed him.

Mio Studios photographer Mark Bumatay said he met with Fabian Durazo twice in late 2017 at the Tempe studio.

Bumatay said he photographed head shots of Durazo on the second encounter to help him gain experience with modeling. Those photos still appeared on the studio Facebook page Tuesday.

"I did not get any weird vibes during those two encounters," Bumatay said. "He was very quiet and polite."

Bumatay said he had not spoken with Durazo since that photo shoot.

Durazo was arrested Monday morning in connection with the stabbing death of 39-year-old Lyft driver Kristina Howato outside a Tempe apartment complex. Howato was in her third trimester of pregnancy, police said. Durazo is facing two counts of first-degree murder.

Bumatay said Durazo came to the Valley from California to attend Arizona State University.

According to Tempe police, Durazo ordered a Lyft ride-sharing service shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday. Howato was driving and responded to the request.

It was during that ride pickup that Durazo fatally stabbed the woman, outside an apartment complex near University and McClintock drives, police said.

Howato was able to escape the vehicle during the attack, but Durazo continued to stab the woman outside of her SUV, police officials said.

After Durazo fled the scene in the victim's vehicle, first responders found Howato with multiple stab wounds, Tempe police said.

Howato was taken to Scottsdale Osborn Hospital, where both she and her unborn child were later pronounced dead, according to officials. The victim has two children, ages 2 and 4, reports said.

Through GPS-locating technology in the victim's SUV, officials were able to find Durazo on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, according to Tempe police.

Durazo was booked into La Paz County Jail on Monday on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of vehicle theft, one count of armed robbery and one count of kidnapping, authorities said.

According to officials, Durazo admitted to the killing after he was arrested. Police said he would be returned to Maricopa County to face the charges.

Representatives of the ride-sharing company Lyft issued the following statement on Monday:

"We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims,'' the company said. "The safety of the Lyft community is our top priority. The passenger's account has been permanently deactivated and we are actively assisting law enforcement with their investigation."