Suspect arrested after body of missing man found in bonfire pit
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - A suspect has been arrested after the body of a missing 18-year-old man was found in the rubble of a bonfire pile in a remote area of the Tonto National Forest, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies responded to reports of a body that was found on June 12 in the morning just outside of Apache Junction.
The body was found in Bulldog Canyon, an off-highway vehicle area. It’s in a desert area that neighbors say is being overrun with homeless people, drug users, and criminals.
On June 21, authorities announced that the body belonged to Parker League, who was visiting from Nebraska. Police say his belongings were left behind at a home in Tempe.
Suspect accused of killing missing man
A suspect has been arrested after the body of a missing 18-year-old man was found in the rubble of a bonfire pile in a remote area of the Tonto National Forest, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
On July 5, MCSO arrested 37-year-old Anthonie Ruinard for League's suspected murder.
Detectives say the suspected killer was seen leaving a club back on June 11th with the 18-year-old, and video showed the man leaving a Chandler gas station.
"Video footage from an Arco gas station in Chandler, AZ on June 11th showed Parker and the suspect, Anthonie leaving the store together in a black Dodge Challenger," MCSO said. "This was the last time detectives had Parker on video alive."
According to investigators, League's bank card was used at multiple locations after his death.
After serving a search warrant on Ruinard's home, MCSO says detectives found evidence with League's DNA on it in the trunk of Ruinard's Dodge Challenger.
The search also revealed $20,000 in cocaine and more than $6,700 of cocaine base in the residence.
Ruinard was arrested and booked into jail. He is accused of first-degree murder, drug charges, credit card theft and fraud, and concealment of dead body parts.
"This is another example of great investigative work by our detectives," Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said in a statement. "And why our FATE Unit is such a crucial component for public safety in the apprehension of these violent criminals from our communities."
Body of missing man found in bonfire pile identified
A body of a missing 18-year-old man was found in the rubble of a bonfire pile in a remote area of the Tonto National Forest, the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies responded to reports of a body that was found on June 12 in the morning just outside of Apache Junction.
Area where League's body was found: