Body of missing Queen Creek area teen found in Glendale

Glendale police believe they have identified human remains found in a Glendale backyard as those of a Queen Creek-area teenager who has been missing since October.

The remains were found in the backyard of a Glendale residence in the neighborhood of 5300 W. Cactus Road on June 8.

“The body is believed to be that of a 16-year-old white male who was reported missing from Queen Creek,” according to a statement from a Glendale police spokesperson Thursday. “It was last seen in October 2023, so it is believed the body was there in the yard the entire time. Additionally, it appears to be a self-inflicted murder and not a homicide. »

Police are awaiting the results of the autopsy to ensure “with 100% certainty that the individual is who we think he is.”

At the time the remains were found, Glendale police said the body was that of a male about 6 feet tall, 15 to 16 years old, with brown hair. He had a tattoo of the word “blessed” on the inside and outside of his forearm.

While the body was decomposing, a sketch of a young man released to the media by Glendale police was an artist's rendering based on the skeletal structure, police said.

Tips from the public following media reports are credited with helping law enforcement identify the remains, the Glendale police statement added.

“Currently, we are comfortable sharing that the tip came from the person who drew the tattoo. They immediately recognized it from the news reports,” the spokesperson said.

Police said they will release the teen's name once they receive the final report from the medical examiner's office.