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PD: 2 men arrested after teenage girl was found dead in North Phoenix

By and Brent Corrado
Updated  October 19, 2021 5:54pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 10 Phoenix

Family of teen found dead in North Phoenix wants justice

Phoenix Police officials have released new details in the case of a 17-year-old mother who was found dead in North Phoenix. Destiny Munoz's boyfriend, along with the boyfriend's brother, have been arrested, but no murder charges have been filed. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports.

PHOENIX - Authorities say two people have been arrested, after a teenage girl was found dead in North Phoenix.

Girl found dead on Oct. 5

According to Sgt. Ann Justus with Phoenix Police, officers responded to Central and Ruth Avenues just before 2 a.m. on Oct. 5. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim, who has been identified as 17-year-old Destiny Munoz. She was pronounced dead.

"Information was obtained that a person with information may be inside of a residence, so the Special Assignments Unit responded, but no one was inside of the home," Sgt. Justus said in a statement on Oct. 5.

According to court documents, investigators believe Munoz was last seen alive on Sept. 25, and killed on the 26th, several days before being found.

Suspects identified by police

On Oct. 18, police officials announced that 21-year-old Daniel Blas Torrealba and 19-year-old Edwin Humberto Chavez-Blas were arrested. Both have made their initial appearance in court.

According to investigators, Torrealba's family told police they have not seen Munoz, who was Torrealba's girlfriend, in 10 days. The couple had a 1-year-old child together.

According to court paperwork, Torrealba had reportedly come back home with a large plastic tote in his backseat. The container, according to police, had a strong odor.

Before police got to the home, Torrealba and Chavez-Blas, who is his younger brother, put the tote in a truck and left. When police got to the house, they found the container, and Munoz's body was found inside, wrapped in plastic and tape.

Police officials also say Torrealba texted Munoz's family members with her phone and pretending to be her after she died.

Torrealba told police Munoz shot herself in the face, and threatened suicide frequently. He said he tried to cover up what happened, because he didn't want to get in trouble for having a gun since he was on probation. Investigators said Torrealba told his family several different stories about what happened, and then had his younger brother help clean up the crime scene. Court document claim Torrealba kept Munoz in the container to "remain close to her."

"I think it's horrifying," said Tania Peraza, who lives in the area. "I know that stuff happens a lot everywhere, but it's right here in the neighborhood. It's horrifying. It really makes me watch my back."

Both Torrealba and Chavez-Blas are accused of concealment of a dead body and tampering with evidence. As of Oct. 19, no murder charges have been filed.

"This is still an ongoing investigation. We are still waiting on the ruling from the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner regarding the manner of death, as well as examining other evidence," read a statement from Phoenix Police.

While Torrealba is still in custody, Chavez-Blas has been released on bail.

Family remembers victim

Members of Munoz's family have released a brief statement on her death.

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