Authorities in Arizona have apprehended a suspect in connection with the horrific murder of an 18-year-old teenager from Nebraska. The victim, Parker League, had gone missing while visiting Arizona and was later found burned in a fire pit near Apache Junction. Anthonie Ruinard, 37, was arrested by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday for League’s murder. The investigation revealed that League had been stabbed multiple times, dismembered, and his body burned beyond recognition.
League’s body was discovered on June 12 in Bulldog Canyon, an off-highway vehicle area near Apache Junction. League, who was visiting Arizona from Nebraska, was scheduled to return home on the same day his body was found. Detectives described the murder as “malicious” and immediately launched a homicide investigation.
Authorities were able to piece together the events leading to League’s murder through surveillance footage. League had been seen at a club in Phoenix, and later, his bank statements revealed that someone was still using his debit and credit cards in various stores and restaurants in Arizona. Investigators identified Anthonie Ruinard as the person using League’s cards. Ruinard had met League at the club earlier that night and was captured on surveillance video with him.
Surveillance footage showed that League was dropped off at the club shortly after midnight on June 11. Approximately two and a half hours later, Ruinard and his girlfriend arrived at the same club. The three individuals left the club together around 3:45 a.m. Later, they were seen together at a gas station parking lot, where they purchased items and left in a Dodge Challenger. This was the last time League was seen alive.
League’s family reported him missing on June 14 after they were unable to contact him. Deputies investigating Ruinard’s home discovered approximately 2 pounds of cocaine and other drugs. They also found the Dodge Challenger, which belonged to Ruinard, with traces of blood inside. Based on this evidence, Ruinard was arrested and booked into jail on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, drug possession, credit card theft, and concealing a body.
The investigation was aided by League’s family, who provided crucial information about the unauthorized use of his credit cards. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office worked diligently to piece together the events leading to League’s death, utilizing surveillance footage and other evidence.