Passion Schurz, who was reported missing six days before, was found deceased in a Scottsdale canal.
(SRPMIC)
A 28-year-old woman who was reported missing six days earlier was found deceased in a Scottsdale canal.
Passion Schurz was reported missing from the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community on March 22. Her body was found March 28 in a canal near Indian Bend and Hayden roads.
She was last seen about four miles away at her family home near Hobson and Jackrabbit roads on tribal land.
According to Aaron Bolin of the Scottsdale Police Department, a death investigation is underway.
Police and fire personnel were called to the area after a pedestrian walking along the canal saw the body in the water.
Responding police and fire personnel coordinated with SRP and CAP to recover the body from the water and begin the death investigation, Bolin said.
Scottsdale detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene to collect evidence.
Working with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner, Scottsdale detectives identified the woman, based on tattoos, her physical characteristics and clothing description, Bolin said.
Dental records will be used to confirm her identification as soon as possible.
Bolin said, “There were no injuries related to fractures, stab wounds or gunshot wounds. The medical examiner is still determining the official cause of death. We’re being told the full report, including toxicology, won’t be ready for several more weeks.”
Bolin added that “Scottsdale detectives are working with Salt River Police investigators and the medical examiner to thoroughly investigate this case and piece together how Passion died and ended up in the canal.”
“Passion’s family has been notified of this tragic outcome, and Scottsdale PD’s crisis counselors helped with the notification and are working to support the family along with Salt River Police Department resources,” Bolin said.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and community during this difficult time.”