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Police investigating the disappearance of an Arizona family discovered two unidentified bodies in the backyard of a suburban Phoenix home and believe the suspect has fled the United States.
The investigation began on Aug. 4 when relatives requested a welfare check at a home in Litchfield Park, Arizona, a community about 20 miles west of Phoenix, according to the Avondale Police Department. Officers found the residence empty after family members reported that a husband, wife and their adult son were supposed to be at the home.
While conducting the welfare check, officers found evidence suggesting foul play, police said. Investigators later recovered unidentified human remains from the backyard of the family’s home, according to Avondale Police Department spokesperson Officer Daniel Benavidez.
“What I can say that we identified is a large amount of blood, and we also identified what we believed as evidence in an attempt to conceal that blood,” Benavidez said during a brief news conference on Aug. 6. “That’s what made us believe that foul play is involved.”
The bodies were in a state of decomposition, Benavidez added, but declined to say how long they may have been there. Authorities have not identified the remains and are withholding the names of the missing husband and wife at the request of family members, he said.
Police: Missing son now considered a suspect
Benavidez identified the missing son as Matthew Flores, 27, and said he is now considered a suspect in what remains a missing persons investigation.
Authorities believe Flores fled the United States before the welfare check on Aug. 4, but Benavidez declined to provide details about his whereabouts or the search for him. He also declined to discuss Flores’ criminal history, mental health or any potential motive.
“What we want the public to know is that if they have seen Matthew Flores or anything about him in the past few days, let us know,” Benavidez said at the news conference.
Authorities have not announced any charges in the case. Benavidez said detectives are continuing to investigate as they work to establish a timeline of events and identify the human remains found at the residence.
Arizona family reported missing under ‘suspicious circumstances’
Authorities have not revealed what prompted detectives to search the backyard. Benavidez said investigators routinely examine an entire property when investigating a missing persons case.
The Avondale Police Department previously said the family had been discovered missing under “suspicious circumstances.” Following the welfare check, police said investigators remained at the scene into the night on Aug. 5 while continuing to collect evidence and follow leads.
Aside from several law enforcement vehicles, police tape and news crews stationed outside the home, the Litchfield Park residence remained relatively quiet under an overcast sky on Aug. 6, reported The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
There is no known threat to the community, and the incident is believed to be isolated, police said. Local authorities are being assisted by state and federal law enforcement agencies in the investigation.
Contributing: Julie Mendes and Perry Vandell, Arizona Republic