A 49-year-old Phoenix woman was shot in the head after a car chase that lasted for several miles on the highway. Police are now searching for the three male suspects responsible for the death of Dinya Farmer. 

Around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday evening, Farmer drove on State Route 51 when she called 911 to report a white work-type vehicle that was driving erratically and following her. While on the line with Farmer, the emergency dispatcher heard three gunshots and then the line was disconnected.

"DPS officers and Phoenix officers responded to the scene and located an adult woman who had crashed her car in the center divider along the HOV lane in between McDowell Road and Thomas Road. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and unfortunately has since died from her injuries," said Sgt. Jonathan Howard

Before the call cut out, Farmer told the dispatcher that she had been followed for about four miles. When Farmer described the people in the vehicle, she said they appeared to be three Hispanic men. The white vehicle used in the incident had ladder racks and a toolbox on it, officials said.

Officers do not believe that this incident was random or related to a traffic dispute.

Because Farmer claimed that the white vehicle began to follow her while she was driving down city streets before reaching the interstate, officers believe this attack may have been the result of a prior incident.

“This increases the likelihood that the crime may be related to some pre-incident contact that has yet to be determined and lowers the likelihood that it was random violence or traffic altercation related,” Howard said in a statement.

Farmer had recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. After her diagnosis, Farmer moved in with her aunt, Debra Beldone, who is devastated by her niece’s death. Beldone confirmed that Farmer is leaving behind three daughters, ages 16, 17 and 25.

Police are asking citizens to come forward with any information regarding this story.

If you have any information about this case, call Silent Witness at either 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 1-800-343-TIPS (8477). Spanish speakers may call 480-TESTIGO (837-8446). (Click or tap phone number to call from this story on your mobile device.)