Police in Avondale, Arizona, found human remains in a backyard on Thursday while investigating a missing-couple report. The couple's 27-year-old son, Matthew Flores, was named in the initial missing-persons report and is now being treated as a suspect. Officers reported finding a large amount of blood and signs of an attempt to conceal it; the bodies were in a state of decomposition and had not been identified as of Thursday afternoon. Authorities say Flores appears to have fled the country and are asking the public to provide tips.
Human Remains Found in Arizona Backyard During Missing-Couple Probe; Son Sought After Leaving Country
Avondale police officers stand near the crime scene where two people were found in Avondale, Ariz., on Thursday.
Avondale, Arizona, police on Thursday discovered human remains in the backyard of a home in Litchfield Park while investigating a report of a missing couple. The discovery came after family members reported the couple and their adult son missing earlier this week.
Suspect Named: Officers said the couple's 27-year-old son, Matthew Flores, was initially included in the missing-persons report and is now being treated as a suspect in the investigation.
Avondale police spokesperson Officer Daniel Benavidez told reporters that officers conducting a welfare check observed signs of possible foul play at the residence. "We identified a large amount of blood, and we also identified what we believed as evidence in an attempt to conceal that blood, and that's what made us believe that foul play is involved," he said at a Thursday news conference.
Area where two people were found dead in their backyard in Avondale, Ariz., on Thursday.
The remains found in the backyard had not been formally identified as of Thursday afternoon. Police said the bodies were in a state of decomposition, but investigators did not provide an estimate for how long they had been there. Recovery efforts were under way with assistance from the Phoenix Police homicide unit.
Investigation Status
Authorities declined to release the parents' names at the family's request. Police described Flores as a suspect and said he has apparently fled the country; they did not disclose which nation he is believed to have traveled to. "All I can say is that he fled the country," Benavidez said.
Avondale police said they have leads and are actively pursuing information. Anyone with information about Flores' whereabouts or movements is asked to contact the Avondale Police Department.
What we know: Human remains were located in a backyard during a welfare check; investigators found a large amount of blood and possible evidence of an attempt to conceal it; the couple's son, Matthew Flores, 27, is considered a suspect and is believed to have left the United States. The investigation is ongoing.
Police urge anyone with tips or relevant information to come forward and reminded the public that details may change as investigators continue their work.
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