Fenris Lu faces felony counts after deputies say he was found inside the county medical examiner’s office.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 31-year-old man was arrested after authorities said he broke into the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office early May 20 and had sexual contact with multiple bodies inside the downtown Phoenix facility.
Fenris Lu faces felony charges including burglary, escape, criminal damage, possession of burglary tools and four counts of sexual conduct with a dead person. The case has put new focus on the medical examiner’s role in criminal cases, family notifications and the handling of evidence tied to people whose deaths remain under review.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at about 1:33 a.m. after a 911 call reported a possible burglary at the office near Seventh Avenue and Jefferson Street. County security staff and Phoenix police were already at the scene. “During a subsequent search of the building, one individual was located and ultimately taken into custody without incident,” the sheriff’s office said.
Law enforcement sources said surveillance video showed Lu opening 11 body bags and having sexual contact with four bodies. Authorities have not released the names of the deceased people. Prosecutors said they needed time to notify families and review whether any of the cases connected to the bodies could be affected by the break-in.
The medical examiner’s office handles sudden, unexpected and traumatic deaths across Maricopa County. Some cases involve suspected crimes, while others do not. Officials said the investigation includes a review of possible contamination concerns and any effect on pending death investigations. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said the notifications to relatives would be difficult for detectives and families already dealing with loss.
During an initial court appearance, Lu did not appear in person after a commissioner found he was a danger to himself and others. His cash bond was set at $500,000. If released, he would be placed on electronic monitoring. A preliminary hearing was set for May 29.
Officials said some records in the case were sealed because of the sensitive nature of the allegations and the need to notify next of kin. The sheriff’s office said the response involved coordination among deputies, Phoenix police and county security staff. No motive has been released, and authorities have not said how long Lu was inside the building.
The investigation remained active May 22 as officials reviewed security video, family notifications and the status of any affected death investigations. The next public court step is Lu’s preliminary hearing on May 29.
Author note: Last updated May 22, 2026.