Verified Timeline
- December 23, 2006: Prosecutors say Richie (Ritchie) Carver and his father Larry Carver went to Ryan’s residence; Ryan was shot in the head and left injured; Heather Quan was fatally shot inside the home. (official charging & press-release timeline)
- December 25, 2006: Heather’s recorded date of death appears on her obituary/records, which is why some sources cite “Christmas Day.”
- 2008–2013: Richie is convicted (natural‑life sentence). After legislative change affecting spousal privilege, Larry is later convicted and sentenced (2013).
- January 20, 2016: Ryan dies following years of complications from his injuries (obituary records).
- June 30, 2023: Arizona corrections publicly reports Larry Carver died in custody.
Who were Richie & Larry Carver?
Richie Carver was tried first and received a natural‑life sentence after convictions including first‑degree murder and related offenses. Appellate decisions affirm the convictions. Larry Carver was later convicted after Arizona amended its anti‑marital fact privilege; he was sentenced to life and died in custody in 2023.
What “Heather’s Law” changed (and why it matters)
After early proceedings stalled because of spousal‑privilege issues, Arizona amended A.R.S. §13‑4062 in 2009 (“Heather’s Law”). The key change: a spouse who voluntarily gave statements to police in a serious case could be compelled to testify, closing a major evidentiary gap. This procedural shift influenced the path to Larry’s conviction.
- Statute: A.R.S. §13‑4062 (anti‑marital fact privilege) with the 2009 amendment.
- Legislative text: SB 1254 (49th Legislature, 2009).
What happened to Ryan after the shooting?
Ryan survived the attack but suffered severe, lasting injuries. Public records show he died on January 20, 2016. Many accounts link his health decline to the original trauma. This article avoids speculation beyond what is documented and focuses on the verifiable record.
Note: The widely shared interrogation video exists and shows Ryan obviously impaired while being questioned; it’s often cited in discussions of investigative decision‑making and custodial medical care.
Myths vs. Facts
| Claim | Verdict | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| “The attack happened on Christmas Day (Dec 25).” | Partly Misstated | Official case materials place the crime on Dec 23, 2006, but Heather’s obituary records Dec 25 as her date of death—this mismatch fuels confusion. |
| “He was left for days in police custody before care.” | Unsupported | There is no official record that police kept Ryan for “days.” The controversy centers on extended questioning while severely injured (supported by the interrogation video), not multi‑day detention without discovery. |
| “Both Carvers walked free.” | False | Richie received natural life; Larry was later convicted and sentenced; Larry died in custody in 2023. |
FAQs
Who was Ryan Waller?
A Phoenix man who survived a gunshot to the head during a 2006 home invasion in which his girlfriend, Heather Quan, was killed. His interrogation while injured later drew wide attention online.
When exactly did the crime occur?
December 23, 2006 per official prosecutorial records. Some memorial records list December 25 as Heather’s date of death, which is why many outlets say “Christmas.”
Were the perpetrators convicted?
Yes. Richie Carver was convicted and sentenced to natural life; Arizona later amended spousal‑privilege rules, and Larry Carver was convicted in 2012/2013 and sentenced to life. Larry died in custody in 2023.
Is there an interrogation video?
Yes—clips circulate on YouTube. They show Ryan obviously disoriented while being questioned. Viewer discretion advised.
When did Ryan Waller die?
January 20, 2016, according to obituary records.
What is “Heather’s Law”?
A 2009 amendment to Arizona’s anti‑marital fact privilege (A.R.S. §13‑4062) allowing a spouse who gave voluntary statements to police in serious cases to be compelled to testify.
Key Sources (for transparency)
- Maricopa County Attorney’s Office press release on the Carver convictions (official timeline and charges).
- Arizona Court of Appeals decisions in State v. Carver (Richie Carver) affirming convictions.
- Arizona Revised Statutes §13‑4062 and the 2009 amendment (SB 1254), a.k.a. “Heather’s Law.”
- Heather Quan obituary (date of death record); Ryan Waller obituary (date of death record).
- Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry notice confirming Larry Carver’s death in custody (June 2023).
- Publicly available interrogation video (context of controversy).
Final Thoughts
Bottom line: The verified record shows a December 23, 2006 home invasion, two convictions (with life sentences), a statutory change that mattered for the case, and Ryan’s death years later. By separating rumor from documentation and linking to primary sources, this page aims to be the most useful, trusted summary of the “Ryan Waller” case on the web.
