Arizona officials identify skeletal remains found 10 years ago

PHOENIX – Arizona officials said Tuesday they have determined the identity of skeletal remains found 10 years ago.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release the body is Anthony J. Sanchez of Prescott, who went missing in 2007.

Cold case volunteers, in conjunction with sheriff’s office detectives, used DNA evidence to verify the identity, according to the release.

The remains were discovered in April 2009 in the Thumb Butte area of Prescott National Forest, west of Prescott.

Efforts to identify the body included a forensic facial reconstruction generated by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.

Authorities said Sanchez was reported missing in November 2007 after contact with Prescott police. He was 20 years old at the time.

Police had responded to a call from family members who were worried about his behavioral health.

The release said he fled from his home and was never seen again.

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