Body found near Pioneer Road
by Brian DiTullio

NORTH VALLEY – The body of a Hispanic male was discovered Aug. 30 just off Pioneer Road and I‑17.

According to Det. Aaron Douglas of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified resident of the nearby Pioneer RV Park, while returning home from running errands, discovered the body near the side of the road just after 8 p.m last Thursday.

Emergency response personnel declared the victim dead at the scene. An MCSO crime scene team then was summoned to photograph the area and begin an investigation.

The victim has been identified, according to Douglas, but identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Douglas said the only description of the victim at this point is that of a Hispanic male wearing a T‑shirt and jeans. There was trauma to the body, but no weapons or abandoned vehicles were found in the area.

The body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy, but Douglas said they are not releasing any more information at this time.

The case remains under investigation.