Sheriff’s Office Investigating a Homicide of Elderly Male Whose Body was Found Near Forest Lakes

FOREST LAKES – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide of an elderly male whose body was found west of Forest Lakes, AZ.

On Sunday May 20, 2018 around 3:30 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a deceased person found lying along Forest Road 512 (to Young, AZ), less than ½ mile south of State Route 260.

A deputy responded from Forest Lakes and contacted the reporting party, a couple who had been driving in that area. The reporting party said they were travelling the Young Road around 3:30 pm and observed a male lying in the dirt approximately 20 yards off the side of the road in a pull-out area. They stopped to check on the male and could see he was obviously deceased.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office responded out of Flagstaff to conduct the investigation. They found the deceased victim with severe trauma to his body and head. The victim had no identification.

Investigators and crime scene personnel from the Arizona Department of Public Safety also responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation. The victim was transported to Flagstaff where an autopsy will be conducted by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The victim is described as a 60-70-year-old white male, about 110 pounds, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with gray hair that is longer but cut above the shoulders, gray beard and mustache, wearing a white “Head” sports polo style shirt, off white or light British tan colored shorts with a black leather belt, black socks and white New Balance tennis shoes.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help for information about this death or the identity of the victim. Please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888, option 1 for Dispatch or Silent Witness 928-774-6111.

Phoenix Man Falls to Death at Horseshoe Bend Overlook

PAGE – On May 6, 2018 at approximately 3:30 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend after being notified by the National Park Service that a subject was witnessed by his brother falling off the edge at Horseshoe Bend.

Coconino County Sheriff Deputies responded to Horseshoe Bend after receiving a report that a subject had fallen approximately 800 feet into Glen Canyon. Deputies along with Rangers from the National Park Service confirmed that the subject had fallen and conducted an investigation.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter made its way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers and Sheriff’s Deputies made access from the river side to recover the body. The deceased was short hauled to the top of the rim,

The deceased is Zachary Wallace, a 33-year-old from Phoenix, AZ. He was transported to Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff, AZ. No foul play is suspected at this time.

PHONE SCAM ALERT

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Sheriff’s Office is warning that they are getting new reports of scams like ones that have hit our area in the past.

In the most recent report, The scammer represented himself as a police officer and used the name of one of the staff of the Coconino County Sherif’s office.

The scammer also provided names of local judges and their clerks to make his scam personalized to our judicial system. He spoke of state statutes and court dates and told the caller to go to Target or Walmart to get Smart Cards or Gift Cards to pay the fines. The scammer had spoofed the phone number so that it looked like a real Sheriff’s Office phone number, but provided a different call back number than the official Sheriff’s Office or Court numbers.

Remember: No legitimate court, judge, deputy, or police officer would ever have someone pay fines in this manner. Do not fall victim to these types of scams. Hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office (928-774-4523, extension 1) or Flagstaff Police Department (928-774-1414, option 1) to report suspicious phone calls.

You can also file a complaint with the FCC.

CCSO seeks information about human remains

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a deceased body that was located near Woody Mountain Road.

On April 24 at approximately 5 p.m., Deputies received a report of human remains located near Woody Mountain Road. The remains had been found by a sportsman driving in the area. The body could not be immediately identified due to exposure to the elements, but detectives believe the deceased person to be an adult male of light complexion. It is thought the body had been in the area for several months.

Detectives are currently investigating the death as a homicide. They believe the victim was killed at another location and the body transported to the Woody Mountain Road area to be discarded.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office are attempting to identify the victim. We are seeking information from the public to help in this investigation.

If anyone has information, please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

CCSO orders Tinder Fire evacuations for all Communities

BLUE RIDGE –– The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has ordered an evacuation for all Blue Ridge Tinder Fire affected communities north, east and west of Hwy 87 including Moquis Ranchettes, all Starlight Pines, all Clear Creek, all Timber Ranch, all Tamarron, Pine Canyon, Blue Ridge Estates, Ponderossa Pines and Mogollon Ranches.

A reception for evacuated residents at the Winslow Junior High School, 1100 N. Colorado Ave. Winslow, Ariz 86047. Residents are advised to evacuate north on State Hwy 87 as southbound roads are currently closed.

An animal shelter (for large and small animals) is available at Holbrook Navajo County Fairgrounds.

Smoke from the fire may increase as winds pick-up. Coconino County health officials are encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from health effects of wildfire smoke. People with pre-existing conditions should avoid exposure to the smoke as much as possible, and consult their physician if they have questions.

Kaylee found alive and well

WILLIAMS – On April 29th, 2018 at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office located Kaylee Cook. She was located within 1.5 miles from the home she went missing from at 6:00 p.m. on the 28th.

On April 29th, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Kaylee walked out on to a road near the junction of Buckboard and Espee Road and was spotted by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Searching the road in his Patrol Vehicle and 2 residence Devin and Cameron Maebe. A CCSO Deputy and Search and Rescue Trackers responded to the area prior that morning after a tip came in from resident Brandon McDonald. who reported seeing a young Girl matching Kaylee’s description the night before at 7:30 pm.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those involved in the search, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Coconino County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies, Department Of Public Safety Officers, DPS Air Rescue and Civil Air Patrol.

In addition, a special thanks to the community and neighbors for all their efforts and assistance with the Search and rescue efforts.

Coconino County Sheriff Office Searches for Missing 4-year-old girl

WILLIAMS –– On April 28th, 2018 at approximately 6:41pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for Kalyee Cook, a missing 4-year-old girl. Search efforts have continued throughout the night.

On April 28th, at 6:41 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies from the Williams Substation responded to the report of a missing 4-year-old girl, from 7937 N. Perrin, a residence about 8 to 10 miles north of Williams off of Highway 64.

Family Members last saw the Child playing in front of the residence at 6:00 pm and believed she may have wandered off in an unknown direction.

Search efforts are ongoing, units involved include Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Junipine Fire Department and Family Members.

Coconino Sheriff’s Office Responds to Body Below Bridge Near Munds Park

FLAGSTAFF — On April 27 at 12:29 a.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to a bridge along Interstate 17 south of Munds Park where a body had been found deceased. The victim was located approximately 70 feet below the bridge.

A Department of Public Safety Officer conducted a check of a vehicle at that location believing it to be broken down. As he checked the area the Officer observed what he believed to be a body below the bridge.

The Pinewood Fire Department responded to the area and assisted CCSO Search and Rescue in the recovery of the body. The Victim is believed to be out of the Phoenix area. The Case is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Evacuation Warning Lifted for Residents due to the Indian Meadows Fire

VALLE – On April 23rd, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued Evacuation warnings for the Woodland Ranch Area near Valle Arizona due to a quick spreading wild fire.
As of 7:30 p.m., the Evacuation for the Indian Meadows Fire/Lateral Fire was be lifted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. All Residents will be allowed back into their homes.

Current investigation indicates the fire was started by a resident of Woodland Ranch Road who was burning yard trimmings when the fire went out of control. Updated information shows the fire to have burned approximately 100 acres, one unoccupied residential structure, multiple vehicles and several out buildings. This is the second fire this month started by residents burning. The Copley fire in Winona was started by a resident burning. Even if you have a permit to burn, you are still must burn responsibly. If you are burning and fire becomes uncontrollable, call 911 immediately. Do not try to fight it yourself.

Fire and Law enforcement units will continue to work and investigate throughout the night and into the morning. Coconino County Emergency Management along with the American Red Cross have set up a shelter for those displaced from their homes in Williams Arizona at 636 S. 7th Street.

Possible Missing person out of Buckeye AZ located in Horseshoe bend

PAGE – On April 22, 2018 at approximately 2:13 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend Parking lot in response to a possible missing person out of Buckeye, Arizona. Family members of the missing person located the missing persons vehicle in the parking lot and notified the Page Police Department.

Search efforts, with additional assistance from National Park Service Rangers, located what is believed to be the missing person deceased at the bottom of the Horseshoe Bend at about 3:22 p.m.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter and Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies made their way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers made access from the River side. The body was transported by short haul to the top of the rim.

The case is still under investigation pending a positive Identification of the body by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.