Arizona woman accused of ordering ax murder

PHOENIX -- A gang member's ex-girlfriend is accused of ordering the ax murder of a man at a Glendale, Arizona apartment last year.

Bond was set at $500,000 for Brenna Maas at her initial court appearance Wednesday. She was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and assisting a criminal street gang.

The 45-year-old Maas is accused in the death of Joshua Calkins, whose body was found in April 2014 wrapped in a rug and plastic in a Phoenix alley. According to the Phoenix New Times, Calkins was found with his hands tied behind his back, his body was covered in gruesome injuries.

Authorities say 31-year-old Christopher Mason was arrested in December on suspicion of murder. Investigators say Mason allegedly beat and killed Calkins with an ax in retaliation for Maas.

They say Maas was in a relationship with the 35-year-old Calkins that ended badly and believed he robbed a friend of hers.

According to the New Times, Calkins was a former member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang, and police believe Maas to be involved with the gang as well.