26 June 2023 , 21:09
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An 18-year-old boy was found dead with his body burning in a desert bonfire pile.
Nebraska resident Parker League, who was visiting Arizona after his high school graduation, was found dead in the Bulldog Canyon area of the Tonto National Forest.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office described his death as "malicious" and is investigating the incident.
The cause of the boy's death is yet to be determined by the medical examiner.
Hunter League, Parker's brother, stated that Parker was "the nicest kid in the world" and described the close bond that the pair shared, considering Parker to be his best friend.
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Parker League's death was described as 'malicious' (KPNX)He told ABC15: "It's hard to accept [what has happened]. I got a call from my dad telling me to come home.
"I asked him 'why' about three times and the third time he tried to explain it, he just started breaking down."
He mentioned that Parker had recently graduated from high school in Nebraska and had travelled to Tempe to visit friends.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of Parker League's death (KPNX)
His family suspects foul play due to suspicious bank transactions (KPNX)Hunter said he had limited communication with Parker during the trip, but he knew that Parker had a place to stay and had arrived safely.
The last message Hunter received from Parker was on June 10, and Parker was supposed to fly back home on June 12. However, on that same day, Parker's body was discovered.
The family was unaware of his death until they filed a missing-person report and were informed later.
Parker League's body was found burning in a bonfire (KPNX)Hunter expressed his shock upon receiving the news from their father, who broke down while trying to explain it to him.
Hunter also mentioned that he believes Parker may have been targeted due to an expensive watch he had taken with him on the trip.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made so far, and increased patrols have been implemented in the area.
Commenting on the progress, Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez stated: "I hate to hone in on this specific issue but, I mean, we're dealing with homelessness. We're dealing with just a remote area; we're dealing with areas that can only be accessed by 4x4 vehicles."
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Authorities are exploring leads and relying on physical evidence to solve the case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.