Cops: Suspect in murders of Arizona couple said he was high on meth
MARICOPA, Ariz. - Police have arrested a man in the double homicide of an Arizona couple who were reported missing last week.
According to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, the bodies of Mike Careccia, 44, and Tina Careccia, 42, were discovered Wednesday overnight in a hole on the property where their car was found soon after the couple vanished on June 22.
In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Babeu announced that police had arrested 38-year-old Jose Valenzuela, who lived on the property, and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. He is being held on a $2 million cash bond.
Sheriff Babeu said that Valenzuela, a U.S. citizen, had what authorities believe to be the murder weapon - a .22 caliber revolver - on him when he was taken into custody.
Valenzuela allegedly told police that he had known the couple for two years and that they used methamphetamine together. Babeu said he told police that he brought meth to the Careccia's house on Father's Day and that some sort of argument ensued, and he brandished a weapon.
Police say Valenzuela borrowed a backhoe from a friend and buried the couple in a 6-foot deep grave on his property. Babeu said police believe he was high on meth at the time of the alleged killings.
The investigation is ongoing, but Babeu said authorities currently believe Valenzuela acted alone.
According to CBS affiliate KPHO, Valenzuela has a criminal record which includes assault and felony DUI.