Try To Escape The Evils Of The World, But...

[monkeyswrench]

This morning wife is looking at Facebook, the local page. Someone posted "something really bad" at such and such, Deputies, medic...crime scene tape. That corner is a friend's home. Really a nice guy, runs a successful landscape company. It was his house. He lives alone. I texted my friend, a higher up deputy type, and asked him...was it?
He said yes

It apparently looks to be a "suspicious death" at this time. All his employees were lined up by the house, grief counselors and interviews by LE. He was 58, in great shape, hard worker...and, as I said, a really nice guy.

Damn...Just talked to him a week or so ago, drive by his house everyday, less than a half mile...only two streets south of me...

 

[monkeyswrench]

As was suspected, it apparently has moved from a "suspicious death" investigation to a "homicide". Sheriff's deputies went to neighboring homes, asking about any videos that may have been made. About 7am, someone said an ambulance was hauling ass up the road. I assume that was when someone discovered him, but don't know. Wife said he posted something last night on Facebook, just after dinner time. Someone did something overnight.

He'd do anything for his kids. Was always flying to Oklahoma to see his daughter and grandkids when they moved. He had maybe a dozen employees, and I'd never heard them say a word bad about him. I wonder what will happen to them? He always had an American flag atop the flagpole at one end of his home, and an 8 or 9ft wooden cross at the other...proud American and a man of faith.

Just last week, I believe, Dan posted about the evil in this world, and the loss of two friends and their daughter. I'm sure it always seems distant, until it isn't. I guess that's part of what chaos is, it has no timing or warning, it just comes to be.

 

[rrrr]

I have no words.

 

[Willie B]

…Wow… unbeleiveable……

 

[OLDRAAT]

Crazy, unpredictable times we live in now.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Drove by this morning, two deputy cars on scene. Whole house, including rear patio taped off...and a Sheriff's labeled motor home. All Sheriff's vehicles are parked on the road. Very eerie feeling, and so sad.

One thing that I thought of last night, his dog. "Ammo" hung around the perimeter of the house. He never left the property...and would bark at you if you stopped or walked near the house. On the other hand, if you were driving to the back, he'd bark until you passed, then just eyeball you. If you walked or drove towards the house, he'd bark again. I've worked on this man's tractors, boats and quads. That dog wouldn't attack you, but he'd sure as hell let you know someone was there.

I haven't seen Ammo at all, nor heard any mention of him It also makes me wonder if it was someone Ammo and him knew and trusted...
Unfortunately, this is where shock and sadness turn to anger.

His poor kids probably got phone calls yesterday that no one ever expects. This week would also be the week I'd usually check out his boat, and make sure it was ready for his family outing in Cali.

 

[OLDRAAT]

Blessings to his family.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend. Sounds like he was one of the good guys.

 

[RiverDave]

Drove by this morning, two deputy cars on scene. Whole house, including rear patio taped off...and a Sheriff's labeled motor home. All Sheriff's vehicles are parked on the road. Very eerie feeling, and so sad.

One thing that I thought of last night, his dog. "Ammo" hung around the perimeter of the house. He never left the property...and would bark at you if you stopped or walked near the house. On the other hand, if you were driving to the back, he'd bark until you passed, then just eyeball you. If you walked or drove towards the house, he'd bark again. I've worked on this man's tractors, boats and quads. That dog wouldn't attack you, but he'd sure as hell let you know someone was there.

I haven't seen Ammo at all, nor heard any mention of him It also makes me wonder if it was someone Ammo and him knew and trusted...
Unfortunately, this is where shock and sadness turn to anger.

His poor kids probably got phone calls yesterday that no one ever expects. This week would also be the week I'd usually check out his boat, and make sure it was ready for his family outing in Cali.

I think the stat is something like 90% of homicides are committed by someone they knew closely

 

[monkeyswrench]

Today there were a whole slew of LE cars I've never seen before. About 6 unmarked Explorer looking things, and a couple of minivan deals. Really, no info has been released. I'm thinking they don't want to show what they have until an arrest or something. The mobile command type motor home thing is still there...and one marked unit on scene this afternoon. The garage door was closed now. I have no idea how long investigations like this last...if areas like ours are slower, or if different situations dictate the time required.

I think the stat is something like 90% of homicides are committed by someone they knew closely

It takes a whole lot to move from robbery to murder I think. Drug use can be a catalyst though, and send someone to that threshold though. I'd think killing someone at close range, as a whole, requires a more "personal" connection. From what I heard today, it was more personal...and someone tried to cover their tracks. They were not very successful. I hope there was enough evidence left behind for someone to be convicted.

He was too nice a man...I can say, without a doubt, he'd disagree with what I'd really want for his killer.


People around here are worried that it was random, my kids included. It is a frightening thing, regardless of it being random or targeted. This doesn't fit that pattern much at all though. Until an arrest is made public though, people are scared.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Sorry monkey this sucks man. Prayers and blessings to this man and his family as they need it now more than ever.

 

[SassyRN]

Is this the incidence off Coyote Springs? We live in Legend Hills and have only been here two years. Two of our neighbors were hit with home invasions about 6 months ago. Would never think these kind of things would happen out here, especially since we moved from CA to get away from all that stuff.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Is this the incidence off Coyote Springs? We live in Legend Hills and have only been here two years. Two of our neighbors were hit with home invasions about 6 months ago. Would never think these kind of things would happen out here, especially since we moved from CA to get away from all that stuff.

Yes it is. Stuff like this here, or in your area, is extremely rare. I would think in both cases, someone knew the victims or at least had ties to a family member somehow. Response time is probably 30 minutes for LE, but most of us are armed. Between protecting animals and people, I guess at least 80%. There are much easier targets to be had, I would think...

 

[monkeyswrench]

There was a press release kind of deal from the Sheriff's Office today. Essentially, there may have been a murder. Following up on several leads. Won't stop until justice is served for his family. There isn't any reason to believe the public is at risk.

MSN

His lead man's truck was there today. When it was, all the windows were uncovered and open. It was a nice day, weather wise. Sadly I'm thinking he was there to possibly clean things up a little for the kids. I haven't seen their cars since Monday...and I assume noone has been inside except investigators.

 

[monkeyswrench]

The house has been "cleaned", and there was a "Celebration of Life" gathering at his property. His guys setup the backyard with big tents. A friend of the family, whose kids own a Mercado and a few restaurants, catered the event. The home was locked...but still kind of creepy. Great turnout, over 200 I'd guess? He was a well liked guy.

Yesterday the Sheriff's released a photo and a name of a person of interest. No car or possible locations, and a guy I've never seen. If he did it, I hope they catch him.

Still quite surreal

 

[RiverDave]

Did they say who the guy is in relation to the victim?

 

[rivermobster]

So sad.

I looked around Prescott last year I think? Spent about 5 days with some locals close to the downtown Prescott area.

@monkeyswrench even looked at a property for me, before I headed out that way. He's been a huge help more than once. Kevin is a Really good dude.

But I feel like like I should probably say...

All the locals I talked to said, stay away from Chino Valley.

Stay safe out there ya all. Do what you need to do.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

So sad.

I looked around Prescott last year I think? Spent about 5 days with some locals close to the downtown Prescott area.

@monkeyswrench even looked at a property for me, before I headed out that way. He's been a huge help more than once. Kevin is a Really good dude.

But I feel like like I should probably say...

All the locals I talked to said, stay away from Chino Valley.

Stay safe out there ya all. Do what you need to do.

Yeah Chino is bad news bears!

 

[rivermobster]

Yeah Chino is bad news bears!

Truth be told, it looked pretty awesome to me. Affordable too.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Time to ruffle some feathers...I apologize in advance to some. Prescott has some that look down their nose at us "valley" folk, both Prescott and Chino Valleys. Yet they elect not to disclose the Prescott proper had more "residential treatment facilities" than the rest of the county combined. Most are trouble free, but still some calls now and again.

Here's kind of how I look at it, and those that grew up in the SGV will understand I think. Prescott is more like Glendora in the 80s, and Chino and P.V. are more like Rancho was. Bigger properties, and a mix of old and new homes and residents. My crackerbox house sits within 1000yds of 2 million dollar custom homes, and also 2 mobile homes

The further north you go, the home values change. Put simply, think Hesperia or Hemet even, also in the 80s. Dirt is cheaper, so you get a wide range of homes and people. Places like Paulden are 30 miles from town. It also has a higher water table making wells a bit more affordable, and easier to raise cattle or even farm...same with some of Chino Valley.

Get out to Ashfork, and there aren't many paved roads, and water is tough. It's approaching wild west territory, they don't have many 911 type calls...they pretty much handle themselves.

A few years before I moved up here, a fuktard dressed as Santa and shot up his inlaw's party, and torched the house. This was close to my parents house, Covina Hills Road area. Not a bad area at all. Evil walks this earth, and finds it's way everywhere it seems. I'll take my chances anywhere up here compared to where I worked down there

 

[Deckin Around]

If he paid any of his employees/laborers in cash........

Sorry about your friend, I hope they find who is responsible.

 

[rivermobster]

Time to ruffle some feathers...I apologize in advance to some. Prescott has some that look down their nose at us "valley" folk, both Prescott and Chino Valleys. Yet they elect not to disclose the Prescott proper had more "residential treatment facilities" than the rest of the county combined. Most are trouble free, but still some calls now and again.

Here's kind of how I look at it, and those that grew up in the SGV will understand I think. Prescott is more like Glendora in the 80s, and Chino and P.V. are more like Rancho was. Bigger properties, and a mix of old and new homes and residents. My crackerbox house sits within 1000yds of 2 million dollar custom homes, and also 2 mobile homes

The further north you go, the home values change. Put simply, think Hesperia or Hemet even, also in the 80s. Dirt is cheaper, so you get a wide range of homes and people. Places like Paulden are 30 miles from town. It also has a higher water table making wells a bit more affordable, and easier to raise cattle or even farm...same with some of Chino Valley.

Get out to Ashfork, and there aren't many paved roads, and water is tough. It's approaching wild west territory, they don't have many 911 type calls...they pretty much handle themselves.

A few years before I moved up here, a fuktard dressed as Santa and shot up his inlaw's party, and torched the house. This was close to my parents house, Covina Hills Road area. Not a bad area at all. Evil walks this earth, and finds it's way everywhere it seems. I'll take my chances anywhere up here compared to where I worked down there

You know where I wanna be...

I'm sure that it's looked at as "undesirable" as well.

But I just hear the wind in the pines an be off the beaten path.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Did they say who the guy is in relation to the victim?

On the official release, not a damn thing. Just a pic, a name and listed as a "person of interest".

The hillbilly hotline has reported that the son mentioned "an old friend of his dad" was staying with him after he bailed him out of some issues in Cali. The story from the son, as told to an employee, is that Grant (the father/victim) had kicked him out due to drinking or something. I never saw another car around there, but was never really paying attention much either.

Not so great details...he was not robbed, and the safe was never opened. Apparently everything was left in place. He was shot, but I don't know where on the property or his person. He was found on his bed, and the bedroom had been torched. The door had been closed, and it contained the fire and damage to the bedroom.

 

[Orange Juice]

Between daily shooting, and high speed car accidents in the Phoenix area, I think you’re safe.