Remains found near Quartzsite identified as Eric Stapleton

The Town of Quartzsite and Police Department issued the following press release today:

"January 29, 2015 In the morning hours of January 20, 2015, Quartzsite Police Department (QPD) received a call from a concerned citizen in the Scaddan Wash area located east to south-east from the Town of Quartzsite. The concerned citizen physically took QPD officers to the skeletal remains found while going on a morning walk in the desert. QPD officers arrived on scene and identified human skeletal remains located approximately one mile south of Interstate 10 in the desert area, east to south-east of the Town of Quartzsite.

"After a thorough investigation, the human skeletal remains were removed from the scene by the Parker Funeral Home and sent to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office in Tucson, Arizona for a scientific medical examination and for identification purposes. This included dental, hair and DNA comparisons. In the evening hours of January 28, 2015, Quartzsite Police Department’s case officer was advised by the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office that the human remains were positively identified as Eric Paul Stapleton. Identification was determined from comparison of his dental records.

Eric Paul Stapleton

"Quartzsite Police Department has made the next of kin notifications to his family. Mr. Eric Paul Stapleton has been a missing person since May 18, 2014 from his residence in Quartzsite, Arizona. Quartzsite Police Department is dedicated to working with the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office and others to determine his method of death. 

Ernie Renfro Chief of Police 

Town of Quartzsite Office: (928) 927-4644 "

Skeleton remains found in desert near Quartzsite

The following is a press release issued by Town of Quartzsite this morning.

"In the morning hours of January 20, 2015, Quartzsite Police Department (QPD) received a call from a concerned citizen in the Scaddan Wash area located east to south-east from the Town of Quartzsite. 

The concerned citizen physically took QPD officers to the skeleton remains found while going on a morning walk in the desert. QPD officers arrived on scene and identified a human skeleton remains located approximately one mile south of Interstate 10 and east to south-east of the Town of Quartzsite. QPD officer immediately established a perimeter of the area and determined it was on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land but within the jurisdiction of QPD. 

Chief Ernie Renfro placed a call for assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to assist QPD with the processing of the scene. The FBI Agents and QPD officers process the scene into the evening hours of Tuesday, January 20, 2015. The human skeleton remains were removed from the scene by the Parker Funeral Home and eventually sent to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office in Tucson, Arizona for a scientific medical examination and for identification purposes. This will include dental, hair and DNA comparisons. The Quartzsite Police Department is dedicated and will work very hard to determine the identification and method of death. Once a positive identification has been accomplished, we will make notification to the family and then release further information to the Town of Quartzsite and media.

Ernie Renfro Chief of Police Town of Quartzsite Office: (928) 927-4644"

Many suspect the remains are of local resident Eric Stapleton, who went missing on May 18th, 2014, where he was last seen at his residence off Riggles Rd. Eric failed to report to work on May 20th and has not been seen or heard from since. His cell phone and car was at the house with the front door open. 

Friends and local residents pulled together search parties during the summer, scouring the surrounding desert on ATVs, scooters, cars, trucks, and on foot. Eric's family posted a reward, but there has been no news on his whereabouts. 

Quartzsite Police to host meeting regarding Missing Person Eric Stapleton Thursday 5pm

PUBLIC NOTICE

Quartzsite Police Department

Hosting a Community Update and Awareness Meeting in regards to the recent Missing Person Case of 

Eric Stapleton

This meeting is for informational purposes and giving the community an update in the on-going investigation only, tips and information will be taken at that time. Please understand limited information may be given. 

When:        THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 

                   AT 5:00 pm

Where:      Quartzsite Town Hall, 

                   465 N. Plymouth, Quartzsite

Who:          Friends and Family, Media and 

                    anyone interested

Why:          To inform the public of the 

                    current status in the case

For questions, please call Quartzsite Police Dept. 

at 928-927-4644.

Missing Person in Quartzsite

ERIC PAUL STAPLETON

June 3, 2014 - Quartzsite, AZ - Quartzsite Police Department issued a Missing Person Notice early this morning. Eric Stapleton was last seen May 18, 2014 at his residence off Riggles Road. Eric failed to report for work on May 20, 2014 has not been seen or heard from since. He is 58 and has grey hair, about 5'10 or 6' tall. His cell phone & car was at the house with front door open.

If you have any information of the whereabouts of Eric Stapleton or any information pertaining to this flyer please contact the Quartzsite Police Department Officer Conley or Officer Tanakeyowma at 928-927-4644 or Dispatcher 928-669-2281