Tag Archives: Homicide

Skeletal Remains located North of Jacob Lake Connected to 2013 Glendale Homicide Investigation

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FREDONIA — The skeletal remains found by a rancher between Fredonia and Jacob Lake has been connected to a homicide in Glendale. On July 1 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ. The rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area where the rancher led them to the remains. Remnants of weathered clothing and boot were still present, as was a daypack. A handgun was found under the remains. The remains appeared to have been there for some time, if not several years.

Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives had respond to a wooded area north of Jacob Lake on April 30, 2013 on a report from Forest Service employees of a suspicious vehicle apparently abandon in the forest off Highway 89A. It was determined the abandon truck was stolen and wanted in connection with a current homicide investigation that occurred in Glendale, AZ. The suspect in the homicide and stolen vehicle was listed as wanted and his whereabouts unknown.

Glendale Police detectives responded to the area as well as Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit and conducted a search of the area. At the time, no further evidence was located and the suspect’s whereabouts were still unknown.

A search of the daypack found with the remains located a work shirt that bore a company name that was connected to the homicide. It is believed the remains may be that of the homicide suspect. The investigation has been turned over to Glendale detectives.

Two Men Arrested for Attempted Homicide

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suspectsFlagstaff—On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at about 9:00 pm Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies arrested eighteen-year old Garrett McCabe of the Greater Flagstaff area and subsequently arrested nineteen year-old Christian Cordova also of Flagstaff both for Attempted Homicide in the first degree.

On January 28, 2014 at about 6:19 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was advised that a victim arrived at an urgent care facility in Winslow, AZ suffering from multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and back which he had received during an attack that occurred in the earlier that day.

The nineteen-year-old male victim of Flagstaff arrived at a Winslow, AZ emergency room on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 with multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and upper torso. Deputies were able to contact the victim’s mother. The victim told his mother that an acquaintance he identified as Garrett McCabe and another unknown male later identified as Christian Cordova arranged to meet him near his house, drove him to a forested area off of Eden Springs Road where McCabe stabbed him multiple times with a knife. He was then driven to McCabe’s residence, where the suspects attempted to bandage his wounds. According to the victim he was eventually dropped off near his home and walked the remaining distance to his house. A family member drove the victim to a medical center located in Winslow. The victim told his mother that during the attack, he believed Christian Cordova chased him with a hatchet.

Deputies responded to Garrett McCabe’s residence and observed a small trail of blood droplets on the concrete driveway and on the handrail leading to the front door. Despite multiple attempts to summons an occupant to the front door, no one answered. Shortly after the Deputies arrival at the residence, a man arrived and identified himself as the owner of the home and as a relative of Garrett McCabe. He allowed Deputies to enter his residence and directed them to a bedroom where they found the suspect asleep. While inside the home, Deputies observed what they believed to be fresh droplets of blood on the floor. Garrett McCabe was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During his interview with Detectives, McCabe made statements implicating himself in the offense of Attempted Homicide.

Late Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Detectives located and interviewed Christian Cordova at his place of employment in Flagstaff. During his conversation with detectives, Cordova made statements implicating himself in the crime of Attempted Homicide. Both Garrett McCabe and Christian Cordova are currently being held at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility.

Homicide suspect held over without bond

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court-20130412 018WILLIAMS—Williams homicide suspect, 53-year-old John Willis, was ordered held over without bond by Justice Robert Krombeen in his initial appearance at the Williams Justice Center. Willis is alleged to have murdered 17-year-old Manuel “Boongy” Navalez with a single-shot to the back of the head possibly in retaliation for an alleged residential burglary.

Willis was arrested on May 21 as a result of evidence collected at the scene where Navellez’ body was discovered, the interviewing of friends, family and acquaintances of the victim, and evidence collected during the service of search warrants on multiple homes. Three residences and one vehicle were searched. Willis was known to frequently stay at one of the residences. Evidence was located during the search warrants which was consistent with evidence at the scene. Evidence and interviews indicate this was not a random shooting incident. Detectives currently are investigating the possibility that drugs may have been a factor in this crime. Detectives are investigating the possibility that this homicide may have been in retaliation for a residential burglary to which Navellez may have been an involved party.

Investigators credit the cooperation of the community of Ash Fork and Kaibab Estates and resident deputies from the Yavapai Sheriff’s Department

The defendant had his initial court appearance before Justice Krombeen today via video link to the county jail. The Justice ordered the defendant to be held without bail at the request of the State on four charges. The charges against Willis are first degree murder, prohibited possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Krombeen bases his decisions on a statement of facts to show probable cause of a crime submitted by the arresting officer—which is submitted in all cases before the court.

This is the first initial hearing on a homicide case before Krombeen since he took office. The Williams Justice Court hears initial cases, and sometimes the pre-trial hearing, in cases originating in the jurisdiction of the Williams Justice Court. That area extends from Ash Fork through Williams and up highway 64 to Tusayan.

After the initial appearance, law enforcement must file charges within 48 hours with the Williams Justice Court and a pre-trial hearing must be set within ten-days. A pre-trial hearing has been set for Friday, May 31. Justice Krombeen said that County Attorney David Rozema can choose to send it to the Grand Jury which meets every Thursday by-passing the Williams Justice Center.

The body of Navallez was discovered by an employee of a gas company on the north side of Interstate 40 just east of Ash Fork on May 17. Deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department investigated and notified next of kin.