Tempe burglary suspect linked to Mohave County double murder, sheriff says

KINGMAN, Ariz. - Authorities in Mohave County say a gun has linked a man jailed in Maricopa County to a double murder near Kingman.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded on June 28 of last year to a home in the 9200 block of E. Dilligaf Road east of Kingman and found two people dead.

"Upon arrival, it was determined that the two deceased subjects, one male and one female, were victims of a double homicide," the sheriff's office said.

The victims were identified as 73-year-old Retta Atkins and 50-year-old Darren Vanhouten.

Investigators say an unknown person was seen on surveillance video at the home at the time of the murders.

On March 23, an arrest warrant in connection to the double murder was issued for 25-year-old Daniel Avila, who is currently in custody in Maricopa County for allegedly committing a home invasion in Tempe.

Deputies say a ballistics test linked bullets from a gun that Avila had on him during his arrest in Tempe to the murders of Atkins and Vanhouten.

"During the homicide incident, the suspect was seen on surveillance with blood on his left shoulder, believed to be a gunshot wound sustained during the homicide," the sheriff's office said. "When Avila was contacted by Detectives, scarring consistent with a gunshot wound was observed on his left shoulder area.

Investigators say Avila is believed to have no connection to the Mohave County murder victims. They are asking anyone with information to call them at 928-753-0753 ext. 428.

Area of Mohave County murder scene: