FOREST LAKES, AZ – On April 25th at approximately 8:00am the Coconino County Sher Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle located by an officer from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The vehicle was located off a forest road near Chevelon Butte and was associated with a missing person reported by the Phoenix Police Department.

A Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, a US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, US Forest Service firefighters, an Arizona Game and Fish Officer, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit including search and rescue dogs, a small unmanned aerial system, and ground searchers conducted a search in the area to attempt to locate the missing person associated with the vehicle.

Searchers found several clues in the area including foot tracks and discarded clothing which focused the search effort. At approximately 5:30 p.m., an adult female was found deceased in the area by a search and rescue dog team. The investigation into the death is ongoing by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner.

The female identified as Britnney Fairbanks, a 28-year-old, was reported missing out of Phoenix 3-days prior to her vehicle being located by Game and Fish Officers.