FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An Oregon man was arrested for allegedly killing his travel companion in Flagstaff on Tuesday after Coconino County Sheriff's deputies found a body.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office received a tip about a missing woman, 38-year-old Melisa Rose Wheeler, who was allegedly traveling to Flagstaff from Milwaukie, Oregon, with Benjamin Mota, officials said.
Deputies were able to find a possible location where the couple was camping north of Fernwood off of Highway 89, deputies said.
Upon asking other campers and handing out flyers, deputies made contact with a woman who recognized the allegedly missing woman.
As deputies searched the area, they found the Wheeler's body. Wheeler was known to have been traveling with Mota, deputies said.
Mota had allegedly returned to Oregon driving the victim's car and had been arrested on other charges. Evidence led the sheriff's office to release a second-degree warrant for Mota, officials said.
Mota is awaiting extrication back to Flagstaff. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
