PD: Bodies bound, burned at Paradise Valley home

PARADISE VALLEY, AZ - Police are investigating the case of two bodies found at a burning Paradise Valley house as a homicide.

Police Chief John Bennett said during a Wednesday news conference the bodies discovered inside the home Monday, near 40th Street and Stanford Drive, were bound and burned beyond recognition.

"The crime scene investigation revealed that both victims were found in the master bedroom and had been bound. The motive for this crime has not been determined," Bennett said.

Police said they do not know whether the victims were killed by the blaze or had been killed before the fire.

Paradise Valley police are working with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, and the Secret Service on this case.

"This is going to be a prolonged, complex investigation. It's going to take probably quite a bit of time," Bennett said.

The home is owned by Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro.

Police responded to the Paradise Valley home after a car belonging to the couple was found burning behind the Goodwill store near 7th Street and Union Hills.

Paradise Valley Police still haven’t confirmed the identities of the bodies and are waiting for positive identification from the medical examiner.

The Secret Service is also said to be on this case. Paradise Valley Police say this is routine.

They told ABC15  they've reached out to many outside agencies for help in this investigation. 

ABC 15 talked to several sources familiar with cases like this, including a former Secret Service agent, who told us, this is not normal. 

They said the Secret Service tends to investigate financial, electronic or identity theft cases, but this is a homicide case.

The  family of the Shapiros posted a statement thanking the public for their sympathy in this difficult time. The family also asked for privacy.

Lawrence Shapiro had a career as a doctor in the Valley for more than 45 years. Glenna has been the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona.

Statement from Kidney Foundation:

The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona (NKF AZ) is devastated by the loss of Glenna Shapiro and her husband, Lawrence. Glenna was the longest tenured CEO of NKF AZ (formerly the Arizona Kidney Foundation), heading the organization for nearly 30 years. Under her leadership, the foundation flourished and was able to help countless thousands of Arizonans in the kidney community. She was also a devoted member of the Arizona Women's Board from 1978 to present day. Her compassion and dedication to the mission of kidney disease throughout Arizona helped to raise millions of dollars to support individuals with kidney disease and their families, and earned the immeasurable respect and admiration of the public and kidney disease community alike. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Shapiros and their loved ones during this time. --Jeffrey D. Neff, CEO National Kidney Foundation of Arizona