A 23-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of a Marana man who had been missing since May, authorities said.
Nick Phillip Rogers was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of first-degree murder after authorities connected him to the death of Todd Mike Whitzel, 27, said Deputy Dawn Barkman, a Pima County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman.
Whitzel's family reported him missing to the Marana Police Department on May 15, Barkman said in a news release.
Detectives recently received information that led them to believe Whitzel was slain. Detectives went to an area near the 8000 block of North Razorback Road in Avra Valley Wednesday, and found what they believe to be Whitzel's remains.
Detectives continue to investigate, but did not provide details on the cause of death because of the investigation.
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According to a search warrant affidavit, detectives received information that Whitzel might have been shot and his body burned in the desert.
Authorities found Whitzel's motorcycle on May 27, almost two weeks after he was reported missing.
No other arrests have been made.
Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or 573-4115.
