ARIZONA NEWS

Man kills mother in San Tan Valley, calls 911 to fake kidnapping

Oct 30, 2024, 1:29 PM | Updated: 4:45 pm

The Pinal County Sheriff's Department posted this photo from a San Tan Valley neighborhood where a ...

The Pinal County Sheriff's Department posted this photo from a San Tan Valley neighborhood where a woman was kidnapped and killed on Oct. 30, 2024. (Facebook Photo/Pinal County Sheriff's Department)

(Facebook Photo/Pinal County Sheriff's Department)

PHOENIX – An 18-year-old man is in custody Wednesday after police say he faked a kidnapping and allegedly killed his mother in San Tan Valley, authorities said.

A jogger reported finding a body, later identified as 38-year-old Mary Collier, in a farm field near Gantzel Road and Skyline Drive just after 9 a.m., according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).

About 10 minutes later, a 911 call came in about a kidnapping in a neighborhood on the west side of the field, in the 700 block of W. Vineyard Plains Drive.

Investigators determined that the 911 call was made by her son, who said Collier had been kidnapped. Collier had injuries consistent with being stabbed and cut.

What is known about San Tan Valley kidnapping/homicide suspect?

Authorities identified Collier’s 18-year-old son as the suspect.

Deputies found him with self-inflicted wounds at the home where the kidnapping was reported, which is about 45 miles southwest of downtown Phoenix in the far southeast Valley.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment and will be booked into jail after he is released, PCSO said.

No other details were made available. The investigation into the San Tan Valley kidnapping and homicide case is ongoing.

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Man kills mother in San Tan Valley, calls 911 to fake kidnapping