A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the death of Parker League, an 18-year-old from Nebraska whose body was found burning in a bonfire pit in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, Your Content has learned.
Anthonie Ruinard, 37, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, along with other offenses, as announced by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The tragic incident unfolded when League, who had been visiting friends in Tempe, was discovered deceased on June 12 in a remote area known as Bullfrog Canyon.
League had arrived in Arizona on June 9 and was scheduled to return home on June 12.
Details from court documents obtained by reliable sources, including Arizona Republic, indicate that League had sustained multiple stab wounds to his back and his body had been dismembered.
Authorities managed to locate Ruinard after reviewing surveillance footage from a gas station in Chandler, Arizona.
The footage showed League and Ruinard together, leaving the store in a black Dodge Challenger on June 11. This was the last recorded sighting of League before his demise.
Subsequently, investigators executed a search warrant at Ruinard’s residence and vehicle. In the trunk of the Dodge Challenger, forensic evidence was discovered.
The evidence underwent DNA analysis, confirming a positive match to Parker League. Additionally, video footage revealed that League’s bank card had been used after his death.
The victim’s brother, Hunter League, disclosed that their family became aware of unauthorized transactions made using Parker’s debit card.
He shared, “We recently found out that someone had been using his debit card for purchasing food and attempting to pay their electric bill.”
On June 15, a relative reported Parker League missing to the authorities.
The young man had recently graduated from high school in Nebraska.
In addition to the charge of first-degree murder, Ruinard faces accusations of abandonment/concealment of a dead body, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, credit card theft, and multiple drug offenses.
He is currently held on a $2 million bond.
At this time, it remains unclear whether Ruinard has entered a plea or obtained legal representation to provide a comment on his behalf, according to People.