Authorities have launched an international manhunt for Matthew Flores, 27, after the bodies of his parents were found buried behind their home in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Investigators believe Flores may have fled the country and have identified him as a suspect in the deaths. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are assisting local police with the search. Officials said evidence of blood and an attempted cleanup inside the home indicated possible foul play.
| 1) | Bodies recovered from Litchfield Park backyard |
| 2) | Evidence inside the home points to possible foul play |
| 3) | Federal agencies join the search for Matthew Flores |
| 4) | Family asks for privacy as investigation continues |
| 5) | Neighbors describe suspect as kind and sweet |
Bodies recovered from Litchfield Park backyard
Police responding to a missing-persons investigation recovered two bodies from the backyard of a home in Litchfield Park, a community in Maricopa County, Arizona. Officials said the deceased individuals were the parents of Matthew Flores. The recoveries were announced Friday after investigators determined that the disappearance of the three family members involved suspicious circumstances. A mini excavator was used to remove the bodies from the ground, and authorities said they were in a state of decomposition.
Evidence inside the home points to possible foul play
Avondale police officers and crime-scene personnel examined the residence after the disappearance prompted an investigation. Officer Daniel Benavidez said investigators found large amounts of blood inside the house, along with indications that someone had attempted to clean it. Authorities said those findings led them to suspect foul play, although the investigation remains active and the cause and manner of death have not been publicly established.
“I can’t tell you how many hours or days, but what I can say is that the bodies are in a state of decomposition,” Officer Daniel Benavidez said.
Federal agencies join the search for Matthew Flores
The FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service are assisting Avondale police in the effort to locate Flores. Investigators believe the 27-year-old has left the United States, prompting an international search. Flores has been identified as a suspect in the deaths of his parents, but the available information does not indicate that he has been arrested or charged. Authorities have not disclosed where they believe he may have gone or provided additional details about the evidence linking him to the case.
Family asks for privacy as investigation continues
The Flores family said it was cooperating with law enforcement while asking the public to respect its privacy. The statement came as police continued processing the home and seeking information about Flores’s whereabouts. The family also expressed gratitude to relatives, neighbors and community members who had shown concern during the investigation.
“The Flores Semyonov family is devastated by recent events. They are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time.”
Neighbors describe suspect as kind and sweet
People who knew Flores told local investigators they were surprised that he had been identified as a suspect. They described him as kind and sweet, a characterization that contrasts with the allegations under investigation. Police have not released a possible motive, a detailed timeline of the deaths or information about what may have occurred inside the residence. The search and forensic work are continuing as authorities try to establish the sequence of events and locate Flores.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two bodies identified as Flores’s parents were recovered from a Litchfield Park backyard. |
| 2 | Police reported blood and attempted cleanup inside the home. |
| 3 | The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are helping search for Flores internationally. |
| 4 | The family said it was cooperating and requested privacy. |
Summary
The discovery of two bodies behind a Litchfield Park home has turned a missing-persons investigation into a homicide inquiry involving the victims’ son. Federal authorities are helping local police search internationally for Matthew Flores, whom investigators believe may have left the country. Evidence found inside the home, including blood and signs of cleaning, is central to the investigation. Officials have not announced a motive, charges or a location for Flores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is being sought by authorities?
Matthew Flores, 27, is being sought as a suspect in the deaths of his parents. Investigators believe he may have fled the United States.
Where were the bodies found?
The bodies were found buried in the backyard of a home in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
What agencies are involved in the search?
Avondale police are leading the local investigation, with assistance from the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service.
What evidence have officials disclosed?
Police said they found large amounts of blood inside the home and evidence that someone had tried to clean it. Officials said the findings indicated possible foul play.
