Homicide victim found wrapped in tarp in remote Arizona desert is identified

YUCCA, Ariz. (TCD) -- Officials have now identified a homicide victim whose remains were found wrapped in a tarp in a remote desert area last year.

According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at approximately 11:36 a.m., deputies responded to the area near Alamo and Boriana Mine roads after an individual riding a side-by-side vehicle discovered remains. At the scene, deputies found a body wrapped in a tarp alongside a large pile of debris.

The remains were transported to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, but they were unable to identify the male victim.

In February, the Sheriff’s Office released more information about the victim, including details about his clothing, jewelry, and appearance, but there were still no positive results.

Several months later, on July 12, the Sheriff’s Office announced detectives, with the help of Othram Inc., positively identified the victim as 50-year-old Brandon Parlanti. Officials reportedly sent a sample of the remains to Othram Inc., so they could perform a genetic genealogy investigation using advanced DNA testing and Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to identify the remains.

The Sheriff’s Office did not say whether they have identified any suspects in the case and have asked anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.

MORE:

• Homicide Victim Identified — Yucca — Mohave County Sheriff’s Office