PHOENIX — A man was arrested and charged with concealing a body after court documents say he admitted to officers that he moved and covered a dead body in vegetation near the Arizona Department of Education building in downtown Phoenix.
On Thursday morning, the Capitol Police and Department of Public Safety Troopers were dispatched for the recovery of a body.
The case is being investigated as a homicide by the Phoenix Police Department due to trauma on the body and other evidence at the scene near Jefferson Street and 15th Avenue.
Investigators believe the victim is a male between the ages of 45 and 50. He has yet to be identified.
Police did have probable cause to arrest Michael Chaney, 60, for concealment of a body, Phoenix PD said. Chaney was experiencing homelessness when he was arrested.
Court docs say Chaney admitted to police he moved and covered the body.
According to court documents, Chaney told officers when he was taken into custody that he covered the body in vegetation out of respect.
Chaney is a suspect in the homicide investigation, according to court documents.
The police department said murder charges are pending following further information.
This is a developing story. 12 News will continue to update as more information is provided.
