Russell Vinton was reported missing by his wife in Coconino County on Oct. 8 while on a camping trip with friends on Jacob Lake.
COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office announced that a missing persons case in Coconino County has been turned into a homicide investigation after evidence of a man’s death was found.
“On October 10, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received information of a deceased subject, identified as missing person Russell Vinton. This case continues to be investigated as a homicide,” the sheriff said. The office announced.
The sheriff’s office has not released any other information about where or how Vinton, of Prescott Valley, was found or how he died.
Detailed information: Lake Havasu Police find missing man’s truck containing suspect who died after shooting
Vinton was reported missing by his wife on Oct. 8 in Coconino County after he failed to check in during a camping trip with an alleged friend at Jacob Lake, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said they searched the campground and did not find Vinton’s truck or travel trailer. However, “other items found at the scene were suspicious in nature and caused deputies to have concerns for Vinton’s welfare.”
Vinton’s truck was later found in Lake Havasu City.
The vehicle belonged to a man who opened fire on Lake Havasu City employees and was killed in the shootout. The man was identified as Patrick Neal Champion, 61, of Tennessee, city police said.
Authorities have not disclosed how or if Champion is related to Vinton.
Detailed information: Lake Havasu Police say man driving missing person’s truck shoots at officer and dies
Investigators are still searching Vinton’s trailer (pictured below).
The trailer is described as a white 2017 travel trailer with Arizona license plate 5LA50N. The sheriff’s office said the license plate may have been removed from the camper.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523 or the Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
This is a developing story. Additional details will be added as they become available.
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