Avondale police suspect foul play after remains found
Avondale police spokesperson Officer Daniel Benavidez says on Aug. 6, 2026, that a family member of missing residents of a Litchfield Park home is a suspect in their disappearance.
Avondale police had the simple task of conducting a welfare check on a couple and their adult son seemingly missing from their home in Litchfield Park.
But that routine check quickly turned into something more insidious when police found two unidentified bodies buried in the backyard and evidence that their son had fled the country.
Avondale officers first entered the home on Aug. 4 with the help of a family member when they noticed signs of foul play, according to Officer Daniel Benavidez, a department spokesperson.
Officers found a large amount of blood inside the home along with signs that someone had tried to conceal it, though Benavidez wouldn’t say in what manner.
Although the decomposing bodies buried in the backyard remained unidentified as of Aug. 6, Benavidez said Matthew Flores, 27, was a suspect in the homicide case. Investigators believe Flores fled the country before officers conducted the welfare check, though Benavidez didn’t say if detectives knew how he left the country or his destination.
He also wouldn’t say if Flores had a criminal history or lived at the home with his parents — only that police were told he was expected to be there when family members became concerned. His parents’ names have not been released.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner would ultimately determine the cause and manner of death for the two bodies.
The Phoenix police homicide unit was assisting in the investigation, Benavidez added. It was not immediately clear if other agencies were involved in extradition efforts.
Litchfield Park is located about 16 miles west of downtown Phoenix with a population of about 6,850, according to the city’s website.
Vehicles from Avondale and Phoenix police littered the street outside the home in a neighborhood that remained otherwise quiet except for a gentle hum from cicadas.
Beige homes with well-tidied yards and various landscaping styles lined the streets, with hardly any foot traffic aside from news camera people lugging equipment from their vehicles along with the occasional officer.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Avondale police at 623-333-7001.
(This story has been updated to add more information.)
Have a news tip? Contact The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com at [email protected].
