Husband is charged with murder for 'stabbing estranged wife 38 TIMES when he found out she was dating new man during custody dispute:' Family say 'he couldn't take it, because he knew he'd never get her back'

An Arizona man has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed his estranged wife to death 38 times after she started dating a new man.

Last Thursday, police in Pinal County were called to a rural area for a welfare check at a home. Upon arrival, police said they heard two dogs barking from inside the house.

When they went inside, they discovered Christina Lopez, 43, dead on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood.

The blood and other pieces of evidence tied the killing to her 49-year-old husband, Javier. The murder weapon and Javier's shirt and cell phone were at the scene.

Detectives assigned to the investigation learned that the married couple had separated in November, but were still disputing shared custody of their children. 

An Arizona man - Keith Lopez (left) - has been charged with murder after he stabbed his estranged wife Christina (right) to death 38 times after she confirmed to him that she had begun dating another man

Javier Lopez was still sometimes at Christina's house to do landscaping jobs and help with other tasks.

The day before Christina was murdered, she and Javier had been arguing over custody of their children.

The next day, Javier took one of his children over to Christina's house for a visit but asked him to stay in the car so he could go speak to her.  

According to investigators, Javier asked Christina if she had begun dating another man. She responded that she was, which upset him. 

He then allegedly sprung into violence - pulling out a pocket knife and stabbing Christina nearly 40 times until she was dying on the kitchen floor of the home.

Bizarrely, Lopez allegedly dumped a bag of dog food on his wife's stabbed body because he was so furious at her having a new man.

Investigators say he then drove back home with his son, with the boy asking in a panic if he'd hurt his mother because he was able to hear screaming and crying. 

Blood and other pieces of evidence tied the killing to Lopez's 49-year-old husband, Javier. The murder weapon and Javier's shirt and cell phone were left at the scene

The day before Christina was murdered, she and Javier had been arguing over custody of their children

The day after the alleged murder, Lopez was arrested in Phoenix after police detained him for questioning.

During the police questioning in custody, Javier allegedly admitted to murdering his estranged wife, before washing his hands before driving home with his son. 

Lopez was booked into the Pinal County Jail on a count of first-degree murder and being held on a $1million bond. 

In a statement, Christina's sister said that the victim, who went by 'Tina' was an 'amazing little sister' who was killed senselessly. 

'She was the bright light in any room, fun, loud and made everyone feel welcomed and loved,' Shannon Mayfield told AZ Family. 

'[Christina] had 3 sons that were her world that she supported her whole life, even at times working 3 jobs to make ends meet. 

'She was at every sports practice and games running back and forth to make sure she made it to watch them,' Mayfield added. 

She said that she doesn't want the murder to be the way her sister is remembered. 

'I want the way she lived, to be remembered. She didn't deserve this. This horrific incident has shattered my parents and her family. I promise I will fight for the rest of my life to make sure that man never gets out of prison.' 

Javier allegedly admitted to murdering his estranged wife, washing his hands before driving home with his son

Lopez was booked into the Pinal County Jail on a count of first-degree murder and being held on a $1million bond

Priscilla and Keith Miller, Christina's parents, elaborated on Javier's jealousy.

'He couldn't take it because he knew he would never get her back,' the Millers told FOX10.

They added that the couple had known each other since they were teenagers but that in recent times, the relationship became toxic. 

'The children have witnessed it, and she couldn't take it anymore. She said she told me she woke up going to bed crying and waking up crying,' they said.

The Millers will now take over raising the couple's children, who they have said had become afraid of their father.

'The way I know she would have raised her kids, her sons, that's how we're going to try. It won't be mommy, but we'll do our best,' they said. 

A GoFundMe is attempting to raise $100,000 to both pay for funeral service and help Christina's three children going forward. 

Javier Lopez now awaits a preliminary hearing on April 19.