YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. – The discovery of a deceased man and woman inside a residence in southern Arizona has prompted an investigation into their deaths as a potential homicide. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a possible burglary at a residence on Chico Lane, where deputies found the lifeless couple.
Authorities have identified a suspect in connection with the deaths. The suspect, Romeo Arellano, 19, was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on charges of two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing, and officials urge anyone with information to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims have been identified as an elderly couple, 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but law enforcement is treating the incident as a homicide. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Yuma Police Department, executed a search warrant that led to the apprehension of the suspect.
The Valley, also known as the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, encompasses several major cities including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and more. With a combined population of over 4.8 million people, it ranks as the 11th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Maricopa County, within which the Valley is situated, is the country’s fourth most populous county, home to over 4.4 million residents.
Notably, Maricopa County boasts one of the largest park systems in the nation, offering an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks with extensive trails, nature centers, and campgrounds. The county seat is located in Phoenix, the state capital and the fifth most populous city in the U.S. Maricopa County derives its name from the Maricopa Native American Tribe, reflecting the region’s rich cultural history.