Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Colorado City, Golden Valley, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley, Littlefield, Beaver Dam, Meadview, Chloride, Topock, Yucca
On November 23, 1976, hikers in the elevated desert area approximately 6 miles east of Katherine’s Landing located human remains in a shallow grave. The victim was determined to be a male adult, 5’08, 140-150 pounds, 30-35 years of age. During the original investigation, it was determined the victim was shot in the head at close range.
Fingerprints were obtained during the autopsy but unfortunately, detectives were unable to identify the victim. He remained unidentified and there were no investigative leads. A composite of the victim’s probable likeness was developed by the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.
In October 2023, investigators with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began a review of the case. The digital images of the victim’s fingerprints obtained in 1976 were compared to all available national fingerprint records, which was not an available resource at the time of the initial investigation.
The victim was positively identified as Luis Alonso Paredes, originally from El Salvador. SIU Detectives learned of the possibility that Paredes may have been living or working in the Las Vegas area at the time of his death. Investigators also learned of possible employment with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy in the San Francisco Bay area nearly a decade before his homicide. To this point, Investigators have been unable to locate any relatives of Paredes.
Anyone with information regarding this case, or information that would assist investigators in locating Paredes’ family is encouraged to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 928-753-0753 ext. 4288, and reference DR# 76-5053.
The Bullhead City Police Department is continuing its investigation on the fatal fire that occurred on Saturday (12/16) evening and claimed the lives of five children. There were no survivors.
A 13-year-old boy, 5-year-old boy, 4-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old boy were all siblings who were residents of the home. An 11-year-old boy was a relative and visiting at the time. All five children were located in the same upstairs bedroom of the two-story duplex.
Several neighbors reportedly attempted rescue efforts, including placing an extension ladder to the upstairs bedroom. Time stamp as it unfolded: 4:54 p.m. – Dispatch received a call of a structure fire on Anna Circle. 4:59 p.m. – Bullhead City Fire Units arrived on scene. 45 seconds later, there was water on the fire. 5:01 p.m. – Water supply was established from the fire hydrant. 5:03 p.m. – The main body of the fire was extinguished.
Due to the fact that a Bullhead City Fire Department employee was the grandfather of the victims, fire investigators from the Lake Havasu City Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) were called in to assist the Bullhead City Police Department with the incident.
The initial fire investigation has revealed that the fire originated in the downstairs foyer area, most likely making it impossible for the children in the upstairs bedroom to get out of the residence safely. The fire traveled up the only staircase inside the home, preventing the victims from exiting.
The children’s father reported to investigators that he was gone for approximately 2.5 hours to buy groceries and Christmas gifts.
Lake Havasu City and ATF Fire Investigators are continuing to determine how the fire started. Items of evidentiary value were collected to help determine the cause of the fire. The fire debris analysis will be conducted by ATF chemists and electrical engineers in their lab. The Bullhead City Police and Fire Departments thank the fire investigators for their assistance and making this investigation a priority.
The names of the five victims are being withheld pending official identification by the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
The investigation team is asking that any witnesses who have photos or videos of the fire to please contact the Bullhead City Police Department. Call (928) 763-9200 and ask to speak with detectives.
The Bullhead City Police Department is investigating a fatal fire that occurred in the 400 block of Anna Circle at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday evening (12/16/23). There were five children (ages 13, 11, 5, 4 and 2) who did not make it out of the 2-story duplex.
This is an ongoing investigation being handled by the Bullhead City Police Department, with assistance from the Bullhead City Fire Department, Lake Havasu City Fire Department and ATF Fire Investigators.
