YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. – When the sheriff’s office responded to a call of a possible burglary at a residence in southern Arizona, they made a gruesome discovery. Inside the home on Chico Lane, deputies found the lifeless bodies of an elderly couple, 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez. The tragic incident is currently under investigation as a potential homicide.
Authorities have now identified a suspect in connection to the deaths of the man and woman found deceased in their home. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Yuma Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence on May 3. The suspect, 19-year-old Romeo Arellano, was taken into custody and has been charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
While the cause of death has not been disclosed by the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, they are treating the case as a homicide. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the authorities at 928-783-4427.
The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, also known as “The Valley” to locals, is the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest. Encompassing cities like Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale, The Valley has a combined population of 4,845,832 people according to the 2020 United States Census. This ranks it as the 11th largest metropolitan area in the nation, closely trailing behind areas like Boston and Atlanta.
Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, is the fourth most populous county in the United States. The county accounts for around 63% of Arizona’s population and spans over 9,224 square miles. Home to expansive park systems and the state capital, Maricopa County is also recognized for its vast open space parks, boasting approximately 120,000 acres of recreational areas.
The county’s seat in Phoenix was named after the Maricopa Native American Tribe, and it stands as the fifth most populous city in the United States. With its rich history and large population, Maricopa County is a significant region within the state of Arizona.