18-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Remains of Arizona Desert Bonfire

Arizona officials have identified a body found in a bonfire pit in Tonto National Forest near Lost Dutchman State Park as an 18-year-old man reported missing by police in Tempe.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies said Parker League’s death was “malicious” but provided no further information, KNXV reported.

League’s body was found on June 12 in a remote desert area near Apache Junction, in what remained from a bonfire not far from the Bulldog Canyon-Hackamore area, east of State Route 88 and the park.

Tempe Police said League was visiting from out of state, and his belongings were found at a home in Tempe. A family member reported him missing.

Experts said last week they’d bee using cellphone data, DNA from the scene, and any other evidence found around the bonfire area as they conduct their information, now focused on what led up to League’s death.

“It also speaks to potential suspects as being potentially familiar with that area and/or wanting to have some sort of solitude to commit the heinous act or dump the body,” said former Phoenix Police Department homicide Sgt. Troy Hillman.

Investigators have not said how League died.

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[Featured image: KNXV screenshot]