Category Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

Investigation of Possible Homicide-Suicide Near Wahweap

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PAGE – On June 2, 2017 at approximately 6:00 am the National Park Service Dispatch received a report of two deceased subjects near the Wahweap Swim Beach parking area of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, and National Park Service Rangers responded to the scene and located a 37 year old male and 25 year old female subject from the Page area deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The deceased have been identified as Raelle Begay and Matthew Franklin both of Page, AZ.

There are no outstanding suspects or concerns for public safety at this time. The incident is being investigated as a possible homicide suicide.

Due to the close proximity of the Utah/Arizona state line, this incident is being investigated through coordinated efforts of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office, and the National Park Service.

Additional details are not available at this time, but will be provided via similar joint media releases as the investigation continues.

Sheriff’s Office Responds to Beaver Falls for Drowning – Second Drowning over Memorial Day Weekend

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Havasupai, AZ – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to Beaver Falls on the Havasupai Reservation for a reported drowning on May 29, 2017. This was the second reported drowning incident in Coconino County over the Memorial Day Weekend, the first occurring at Lake Mary.

At approximately 3:00 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a request from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Havasupai to assist in response to a possible drowning. A male camper reported that another male camping with him and a group of friends had attempted to enter a cave behind the falls. The entry required diving to a depth of several feet before reaching the entrance. Another individual had also tried to enter the cave, but unable to, returned to the surface. After approximately 30 minutes, the friend had not returned and the incident was reported to tribal officials.

Air West transported a Sheriff’s Deputy to the falls to coordinate rescue / recovery events with tribal officials. By approximately 7:00 pm the body of the deceased missing person resurfaced and was recovered. The body was transported from Havasupai by DPS Ranger Helicopter to the rim where transfer was made to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The person has been identified as Mark Magleby, a 36 year-old from Orem, UT. No foul play is suspected at this time; however, the incident is still under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Havasupai Officials reported that there were over 250 individuals registered for use of the area that day.
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Sheriff’s office to continue display flag on Red Flag days

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office announce it will continue its practice of displaying a red flag at the entrance to the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility–911 E Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff—whenever Red Flag Warnings are in effect for the area. The flying of this red flag is an adoption of the nationwide Red Flag Warnings that are issued by the National Weather Service and meant to inform the public about the fire conditions.

Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to indicate the imminent danger of Critical Fire Weather conditions – very low relative humidity, strong winds, and dry fuels. You can view a map of current Red Flag Warnings and other National Weather Service Hazards in Arizona by going to http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=psr. The bright pink legend indicates areas with Red Flag Warnings.

The Sheriff’s Office started this practice in June 2014. “By displaying red flags throughout our community in concurrence with the weather service Red Flag Warnings, we can help bring higher visibility to the threat of wild land fires,” said Sheriff Jim Driscoll. “We hope people will see our red flag and other red flags in the community and be reminded to take appropriate actions to avoid catastrophic wild land fires.” Sheriff Driscoll issues a challenge to other Northern Arizona government agencies and local businesses to increase community awareness of the threat of wild fires by posting a red flag on their property when an official Red Flag Warning has been issued.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone who lives in or comes to visit Northern Arizona to know about current fire hazards and restrictions and comply with any fire restrictions that may be in place. This may include restrictions on campfires or other open flames, smoking cigarettes, operating combustible engines, or other activities. Information about fire restrictions in Coconino County can be found at https://firerestrictions.us/az/az-coconino-county/

The Sheriff’s Office also encourages people to participate in the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office / Flagstaff Police Department Woods Watch Program. For more information about Woods Watch, contact Jon Paxton at (928) 226-5089.

Drowning victim recovered at Lake Mary

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FLAGSTAFF – A Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Volunteer conducting a holiday patrol was flagged down by a citizens yesterday at approximately 3:30 p.m at Lake Mary. The citizens reported that a young male individual had been swimming near buoys located south of the boat ramp. The swimmer reportedly had some difficulty making it back to shore while approximately 100 feet from land. He was seen going beneath the water and not returning to the surface by several family members who entered the water in attempts to locate him.

Deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and US Forest Service Law Enforcement responded to the scene and entered the water in attempt to locate the victim. It was determined at that time that the depth where the victim was last seen was over 10 feet deep and visibility was very poor. These initial response units were supplemented by response from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Flagstaff Fire Department and a Department of Public Safety Helicopter. Several citizens who were in the area also assisted with the search efforts by providing the use of their boats.

Search efforts continued into the evening and at approximately 9:30 pm members of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered a body in close proximity to where the victim had last been seen.

The body of the victim identified as 18-year-old Kevin Anaya of Mesa, AZ was turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. This case remains under investigation by Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the County Medical Examiner.

Man Arrested for Shooting Incident near Ash Fork

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Ash Fork – Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives have arrested an Ash Fork man in connection with a shooting incident surrounding a domestic dispute.

On Sunday May 7 Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a home in Kaibab Estates West, a residential subdivision outside Ash Fork. Deputies contacted the occupants of the home and found that no one had been shot; however, several shots had been fired outside the home.

Through the investigation, deputies learned that 47-year-old John Wayne Slater of Ash Fork had driven to the victim’s home to confront him about Slater’s estranged wife who was staying at the home of the victim. Slater approached the door to confront them and was armed with a handgun. The homeowner and Slater spoke briefly at which time the homeowner closed the door on Slater. Slater fired several shots outside the front door. Slater went back to his vehicle and began to drive off and fired several other shots, then fled the area.

No one was hit by the gun fire but a vehicle parked in the driveway was found to have one bullet hole.

Deputies located Slater a short time later and took him into custody without incident.

Slater was arrested for one count of Aggravated Assault, 2 counts of Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon, 2 counts of Felony Endangerment, Criminal Damage and trespass and booked into the Coconino County Jail.

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Don’t Fall Victim to Phone Scammer Claiming to be Law Enforcement Officer

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FLAGSTAFF – The Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of telephone scams in which the scammer is using the names of known law enforcement personnel to try to legitimize his scam. The callers use different bullying techniques such claiming your have an outstanding warrant or citation or court date. They also may use scare tactics such as claiming to send an officer to your home to arrest you if you do not pay immediately.

One of the names being used fraudulently is that of our Detention Commander Matt Figueroa. Remember, legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding money/payments be made through pre-paid credit cards, money wire transfers or the like.

Don’t fall victim to the bullying techniques of these scammers. File a police report by contacting our Dispatch Center at (928) 774-4523, option 1. Learn more about preventing yourself from becoming a victim to these kinds of scams on our webpage: http://www.coconino.az.gov/356/Fraud-Awareness.

Hiker rescued from Mt. Elden in winter conditions

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FLAGSTAFF – On May 9th at 9:00 am, The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded to a report of a hypothermic adult male hiker on top of Mt. Elden. The weather at the time was moderate to heavy snow with approximately 3-5 inches of snow on the ground.

The US Forest Service was contacted by the Sheriff’s Office to determine if the Elden Lookout Tower was staffed. It was determined that a lookout was at the tower and he was asked to look for the hiker near the base of the tower. The lookout located the hiker and assisted him to shelter while waiting for search and rescue to arrive.

Upon search and rescue arrival the hiker was warming up at the lookout tower and his condition was improving. Ultimately the hiker received a ride home from friends who had also responded to assist.

The hiker, a 30-year-old male resident of Flagstaff had gone for a day hike. He had planned to hike to the top of Mt. Elden and arrive there by a certain time to qualify for a free pizza sponsored by a local business. The hiker was either unaware of the weather forecast or disregarded the forecast and set off ill prepared wearing shorts and light clothing.

The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers that spring weather in Northern Arizona can change rapidly. Hikers should familiarize themselves with the weather forecast prior to setting out for a hike. Hikers should also carry the “Ten Essentials” which include water, food, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment,
headlamp/flashlight, first aid kit, shelter material (space blanket or large leaf bag), fire starting kit, pocket knife/multi-tool, and signaling equipment (whistle and mirror).

Carrying a cell phone is also a good idea although there are still locations in Coconino County that do not have cellular service. Hikers should always leave a detailed itinerary for their hike with a trusted person in case they do not return as expected.

Coconino Sheriff deputies respond to threat at BIA Leupp School

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LEUPP – Coconino County Sheriff deputies respond to Leupp, Arizona to assist the Navajo Police Department and the BIA Leupp School with a possible threat.

At approximately 10:00 am, the Navajo Police Department requested assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to respond to the BIA Leupp School about a threat of a shooting. Information received was that the school had found a note in a restroom threatening a shooting at the school.

The Sheriff’s Office immediately sent two deputies to BIA Leupp to assist the Navajo Police Department until they could get other officers on scene. At this point the investigation into the threatening note will be conducted by the Navajo Police Department.

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Death of Man at Horseshoe Bend

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PAGE – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Scottsdale, Arizona man at a tourist attraction about 5 miles south of Page, Arizona.

On Sunday May 7, 2017, around 9:00 AM rangers from the National Park Service at Glen Canyon located a phone and water bottle at the cliffs edge of Horseshoe Bend and notified the Sheriff’s Office of the suspicious items.

Sheriff’s Deputies from the Page office responded to the area. Deputies and Rangers looked over the edge and saw what they believed was a possible human body 600 to 800 feet down the cliff wall. NPS Rangers summonsed the assistance of Classic Helicopters out of Page to fly officers down into the canyon. A Sheriff’s deputy was flown in and confirmed there was a deceased male.

Deputies and detectives investigated the ownership of the phone found on top and determined the phone belonged to a 34-year-old male from Scottsdale, Arizona. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle owned by the man in parking lot of Horseshoe Bend.

Around 6:00 PM, the Page Police Department was notified by the subject’s girlfriend, reporting he was missing and may be in the Page area and maybe suicidal. He had communicated with his girlfriend around 7:30 PM Saturday night that he was at Horseshoe Bend. On Sunday, the girlfriend found some written communication left at their home in Scottsdale indicating he was contemplating suicide.

The body was removed from the area by helicopter and turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Sheriff meeting at High Country Fire stresses community

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RED LAKE – Sheriff Jim Driscoll held a forum of over 200 people at the High Country Fire Station on Highway 64 concerning the recent murders of 67-year-old Michael and his 64-year-old wife Nora Dimuria. The crowd was so large they had to move the fire truck out of the station to make room for the standing-room-only audience. Sheriff Driscoll was joined by the County Supervisor for District 3, Matt Ryan who also called for a community response to assist in the efforts of the Sheriff’s Department. [Video at web site.]

“We need you as a community. The Sheriff needs you as a community to help, to be the eyes and ears, to bring in support for one another,” Ryan said.

Sheriff Driscoll began his comments by encouraging everyone in the community to get to know their neighbors and share information. He then laid out a chronology of the events leading up to the arrest of a suspect.

To see communities come together; to see communities experience tragedy, you can make the best of it or you can make the worst of it.” Sheriff Driscoll said later in his talk. “You can use this as an opportunity to pull together or you can use this as an opportunity to become divisive. You know there’s great concern when a tragedy occurs and there’s bad guys out there that we don’t resort to going vigilante. ”

On Tuesday, May 2nd, at approximately 9:00 am the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a neighbor of the victims reporting he had found his neighbor dead. Sheriff’s deputies from the Williams District responded to the location and upon further investigation in the residence found two deceased adults, one male and one female who had resided at the home. The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit out of Flagstaff was contacted and responded to the location. The victims were identified as the home owners, 67-year-old Michael Dimuria and his 64-year-old wife Nora Dimuria. The couples’ white 2006 Jeep Liberty 4 door vehicle was missing from the home.

The morning of May 6, 2017, the Sheriff’s Office received a tip from an area resident that a potential suspect was fleeing to Colorado. Throughout the day, Sheriff’s Office conducted interviews and worked with Colorado agencies. The Dolores County Sheriff’s Office located the missing Jeep Liberty in South Western Colorado near Dolores after they received a call from a community member who reported the vehicle as suspicious and possibly abandoned.

The possible suspect obtained a different vehicle and later in the evening the suspect fled the area and a high-speed chase ensued, with the subsequent firing on pursuing law enforcement. Law enforcement performed a pit maneuver on the suspects’ vehicle, rolling it. The suspect, 29 year-old, Derrick Shawn Barnett, from Grand Junction, Colorado, was arrested on outstanding Colorado warrants and is in-custody in Montezuma County, Colorado. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is comfortable that this suspect is a suspect in our Red Lake area double homicide. Sheriff’s Office detectives are in route to Colorado to continue the investigation.

There was some concern about the lack of information flow to the public. Sheriff Driscoll explained that they only want to release information that they know as fact.