Arizona man allegedly buried parents in backyard, fled country: police

An international manhunt is underway for an Arizona man who’s a suspect in the deaths of both his parents, with police finding their bodies buried in a backyard.

Officials said on Friday that two bodies were located in the backyard of a Litchfield Park, Arizona home. The 27-year-old Matthew Flores was named as a suspect in their disappearance and death, and investigators believe he has fled the country.

Flores’ mother and father were the individuals found dead.

Avondale Police Officer Daniel Benavidez said during a press conference that officers found large amounts of blood in the house as well as evidence someone tried to clean it, which he said indicates foul play.

The three people disappeared under “suspicious circumstances,” which led to a missing persons investigation being opened.

Matthew Flores, 27, is a suspect in the disappearance of his parents after their bodies were discovered in the backyard on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Avondale Police Department

A mini excavator was needed to get the bodies out of the backyard.

The FBI and US Marshals service are involved in the search for Flores, who officials believe has fled the country.

“I can’t tell you how many hours or days, but what I can say is that the bodies are in a state of decomposition,” Benavidez said.

Avondale Police detectives and the Phoenix Homicide Unit discovered the bodies. Now, the FBI and US Marshals are looking for Flores. FOX 10 Phoenix

People who knew Flores told FOX 10 they were surprised he is considered a suspect, adding they knew him to be a kind and sweet man.

The Flores family said in a statement that they are “devastated.”