What started as a welfare check suddenly turned into two bodies found in a backyard and a hunt for a potential suspect, as Avondale police worked to uncover what happened to a family living in a quiet Litchfield Park neighborhood.
On Aug. 4, officers from the Avondale Police Department were asked by family members to conduct a welfare check on a husband, wife and adult son living at a home in Litchfield Park, according to Avondale police spokesperson Sgt. Jenny Chavez.
With the assistance of a family member, officers entered the home, and what they discovered inside has sent detectives searching for answers.
Upon the initial inspection of the home, officers found evidence that suggested foul play may have occurred, according to Chavez.
A missing
persons investigation was immediately conducted on Aug. 5, as no individuals were located on the property.
But as the investigation continued on Aug. 6, two unidentified and decomposing bodies were found buried in the backyard of the home.
Here's what else we know.
Who is the suspect in connection with the missing family members?
Avondale detectives believe the missing couple's adult son, 27-year-old Matthew Flores, fled the country, and he was named a suspect in the investigation, according to Chavez.
Detectives believe Flores left the country prior to officers conducting the welfare check at the home, Chavez said.
Have authorities identified the bodies?
As of Aug. 6, authorities have not identified the two bodies that were found buried in the backyard of the Litchfield Park home.
According to Officer Daniel Benavidez, who spoke to news media outside of the home, the bodies that were discovered were decomposing.
Members of the family asked Avondale police to withhold the names of the husband and wife at this time, according to Chavez.
Has a cause of death been determined?
Avondale police said the cause of death for the two bodies has yet to be determined by medical examiners, as of Aug. 6.
Are there signs of foul play?
The evidence of foul play that was discovered in the home included a large amount of blood with signs that someone had tried to conceal it, Benavidez said.
Is Matthew Flores in custody?
As of Aug. 6, authorities said they have yet to locate Flores. During the press conference outside the home, Benavidez did not disclose how Flores had fled the country or where he could have fled to.
Who is handling the investigation?
The investigation was being led by the Avondale Police Department with the support of the Phoenix Police Department's Homicide Unit.
This incident was believed to be an isolated case, and there was no danger to the community, Chavez said.
The Avondale Police Department asked the public to provide any information regarding Flores' whereabouts or about the case at 623-333-7001.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What police are saying about missing Arizona family and 2 bodies found
