COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — A missing person's case out of Coconino County has turned into a homicide investigation after evidence of the man's death, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said.
"On October 10th, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received information of a deceased subject who was identified as the missing person, Russell Vinton. This case continues to be investigated as a homicide," according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office did not release other information about how or where Vinton, who is from Prescott Valley, was found or how he died.
MORE INFORMATION: Missing man's truck found with suspect who was killed after he shot at Lake Havasu City police
Vinton was reported missing in Coconino County by his wife on Oct. 8 while he was on a camping trip with an individual described as a friend at Jacob Lake and did not check in, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies said they investigated the campsite but didn't find Vinton's truck or travel trailer. However, "other items found at the site were suspicious in nature and gave deputies concern for Vinton’s welfare."
Then Vinton's truck was found in Lake Havasu City.
The vehicle was in the possession of a man who opened fire on Lake Havasu City officers and was killed in an exchange of gunfire. That man has been identified as 61-year-old Patrick Neal Champion from Tennessee, according to the city's police department.
Authorities have not released how or if Champion is connected to Vinton.
MORE INFORMATION: Man driving missing person's truck killed after firing at officers, Lake Havasu City police say
Investigators are still trying to find Vinton's trailer, pictured below.
The trailer is described as a white 2017 travel trailer with the Arizona license plate 5LA50N. The sheriff's office said the license plate might have been removed from the camper.
Anyone with information on this case should contact the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-774-4523 or 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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