KINGMAN — The Mojave County Coroner’s Office is trying to determine the cause of death of a Kingman teenager whose parents admitted to dumping a body in the desert. Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Anita Mortensen confirmed on Feb. 25 that Amber Leah Valentine and her husband, John Imes, both 41, were killed at 2300 Packard Avenue when their 16-year-old son He said the investigation began when he reported fleeing his home on the block.

Mortensen said the death investigation began on February 28 after detectives were dispatched to the Anson Smith Road and Indian Canyon Road areas. In Kingman, a dead white man was wrapped in a blanket behind a stone wall.

Valentine reportedly contacted the sheriff’s office again on March 2 to advise that he had just released his 14-year-old daughter, who had been held captive by her. Roommates Richard Pounds, 34, and Siobhan Guzida, 39. Valentine and his daughter were taken to Kingman’s Regional Medical Center where they were treated.

Mortensen said Valentine told investigators that she and her husband were responsible for placing her son’s body behind the stone wall.

Mortensen said, “She admitted that she lied when her agent reported him for running away, and that he was already dead at the time of the report. He escapes.”

Mortensen said there were no obvious signs of foul play regarding the teenage death, whose name is pending pending an ongoing investigation. She said autopsy results and additional charges are pending an ongoing investigation.

His parents were arrested and imprisoned for corpse abandonment.

Mortensen said Pounds and Gzida were questioned before being charged with child abuse and aggravated assault and jailed, and Gzida was released. She said a 14-year-old girl detailed abuse in her home, and she claimed that Pounds had shot her in the eye with her BB gun.

Mortensen said the Arizona Department of Child Safety was involved and the girl was receiving medical care at an undisclosed location.