Tempe man arrested after human remains found in his backyard freezer

TEMPE, AZ — A Tempe man is in custody after police say they found human remains in a freezer in his backyard earlier this week.

Tempe police say they received a tip on Tuesday that there was a dead body in a freezer in the backyard of the home of the 51-year-old man.

Officers went to his home that day, but he refused to let officers look inside the freezer.

He told police at the time his father had passed away four years ago.

Crime

Detectives continued pursuing the tip and developed probable cause for a search warrant.

When that warrant was served, police found skeletal remains of a human body.

The identity of the person found has not yet been confirmed.

The 51-year-old is currently facing charges of concealing a body and failure to report a death. Tempe police say more charges could be filed.

Police are encouraging anyone with information to call them at 480-350-8311. Callers can remain anonymous.

Latest from ABC15:

AP via Scripps News

Taylor O'Bier

AP via Scripps News

Marissa Sarbak

Report a typo