YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. – Authorities in Yuma County, Arizona, are investigating a possible homicide after a man and a woman were found dead in a residence on Chico Lane. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a possible burglary and discovered the deceased individuals. The victims have been identified as 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez.
Romeo Arellano, a 19-year-old suspect, has been arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in connection to the deaths. Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence and took Arellano into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427.
The Valley, as locals refer to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Southwest. Comprising cities like Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Tempe, among others, the Valley has a combined population of 4,845,832 people as per the 2020 United States Census. Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, is the fourth largest county in the U.S. by population, with 4,485,414 residents.
Maricopa County, which includes a significant portion of Arizona’s population, spans over 9,000 square miles and boasts a vast park system with around 120,000 acres of open space parks. Phoenix serves as the county seat and state capital, ranking as the fifth most populous city in the country. The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe, highlighting its rich cultural heritage.
With ongoing investigations in Yuma County and the unique characteristics of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in Maricopa County, Arizona continues to be a focal point for law enforcement efforts and cultural exploration in the American Southwest.