PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested in connection with the decomposing body of a man that was found near the Grand Canal in east Phoenix earlier this week, authorities said.
Bryan Victor Barrientos, 23, was taken into custody on Tuesday night on a charge of second-degree murder, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
The body found on Monday morning was identified as 48-year-old Efrin Victor Evangelista.
Why was Barrientos arrested in connection with the decomposing body?
Officers responded to the area of 36th and Poland streets around 11:45 a.m. on Monday and were directed by witnesses to a body near the canal. Evangelista’s remains were in the early stages of decomposition and had obvious signs of trauma, police said.
Detectives collected evidence and canvassed the area, speaking to residents and looking for surveillance footage.
While investigating, police learned that officers received a call on Friday regarding a suspicious man in the area of 35th Street and McDowell Road after gunshots were heard.
At the time, police were unable to locate a scene or victim based on the provided information.
According to Phoenix police, detectives re-interviewed the witness who called. They then collected surveillance footage, which helped them identify Barrientos as a suspect.
Police said that after being arrested Barrientos admitted to detectives that he shot Evangelista unprovoked and then hid the gun at a relative’s home.
Detectives obtained search warrants and found the firearm that Barrientos used.
The investigation is still ongoing.
No other information was provided.
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