Remains found in backyard of missing family's home, son believed to have fled US: Police
Police believe the son, Matthew Flores, 27, fled before officers' welfare check.
A homicide investigation is underway after human remains were discovered in the backyard of an Arizona home, and the alleged suspect is believed to have fled the country, authorities announced Thursday.
The case began when relatives requested a welfare check for three residents -- a husband, wife and their adult son -- at their home in Litchfield Park, a community about 20 miles outside of Phoenix, the Avondale Police Department said.
No one was home during Tuesday's welfare check, but officers found "indications that foul play may have occurred" and launched a missing persons investigation, police said.
Authorities announced on Thursday that unidentified human remains were found buried in the yard and the case is being investigated as a homicide.
Police now consider the missing adult son, 27-year-old Matthew Flores, an alleged suspect, and say they believe he fled the U.S. before Tuesday's welfare check.
The names of the husband and wife have not been released at the family's request, police said.
There's no known threat to the community, police added.
Anyone with information on Matthew Flores' whereabouts is asked to call the Avondale Police Department at 623-333-7001.