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Arizona officials looking for freezer sold in connection with human remains investigation

Walter Mitchell.png
Posted at 11:48 AM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-13 13:48:27-05

CHINO VALLEY, AZ — Yavapai County officials are asking the public for help locating an item sold by a man who was arrested after the discovery of human remains.

Walter Mitchell of Scottsdale was arrested in late December after human remains were found near Prescott.

Sheriff's officials say they recovered more than 20 limbs including detached arms and legs. In addition, YCSO says a hunter in the Camp Wood area reported finding two severed human heads. Deputies arrived and confirmed what he had seen, and a follow-up search revealed three more human heads.

Officials say evidence from the scene showed the remains were likely connected to a business based in Seattle, Washington, identified as "Future GenX."

Detectives learned that Mitchell left Seattle in 2020 with human remains belonging to five people. Detectives traced Mitchell’s whereabouts to the Prescott/Chino Valley communities and then to Scottsdale.

Mitchell is believed to have advertised and sold a freezer on Craigslist or another community sale publication, and the sale took place at a home on Reed Road in Chino Valley.

Detectives are hoping someone will have information about a "chest freezer" that was sold in Chino Valley in November or December 2020.

The freezer is said to be a 1970s or 1980s model, pale yellow in color and top-loading style.

Detectives say they would like to speak with the individuals who purchased the freezer or anyone with knowledge of the sale.

If you have information on this request, please contact Detective JT Smith at 928-777-7271 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1800-932-3232. You can also submit a tip online at yavapaisw.com.