Rafael Malanga

Rafael Malanga, a man of fierce integrity, deep compassion, and boundless spirit, died on May 9, 2025, at his home in Bisbee, AZ. He was 76 years old. Rafa lived many lives - juvenile delinquent, veteran, adventurer, husband, dad. He traveled the world, studying the teachings of Buddhism, surfing far flung oceans with joy, and falling in love with Mexico, especially his cherished home in Mata Ortiz. He never stopped learning and saw the world as something to explore, to question, and to embrace - passing that worldview on to his children. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, however, was his storied, decades-long career as a criminal defense attorney. Rafa was a dedicated and relentless advocate who never shied away from the hardest cases and helping those who had no one else. As news of his passing spread throughout the legal community, a clear trend emerged among colleagues who repeatedly described him as a remarkable trial attorney and a crusader for the underdog. His unmatched ability to craft a legal defense was, as one attorney put it, "a type of magic he had." Rafa is survived by his three daughters, Lauren, Sarah, and Star, who will miss many things about him not least of which are his off-tune birthday messages sung in his gravelly voice; his committed and ever patient legal assistant Elga, who became family over the 25 plus years she worked by his side; his dog Elsie, who fulfilled her promise to outlive him; his granddaughter Noor, who has already exhibited signs of her Papa's spunk and feistiness; his devoted girlfriend Carol, who shared his love of four-legged creatures and supported him through his final days; his step-daughter Mandy, who inherited Rafa's creative use of colorful language; his sister, Charon; and countless others whose lives he touched. We are confident Rafa has gone on to the higher activities and has reunited with the love of his life, Anna, to continue the adventure. We hope you're smoking a Camel, man.