ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona man accused of dismembering father, burning body in barrel

Jul 25, 2023, 9:05 AM | Updated: 9:06 am

man and woman accused of dismembering man's father and concealing his body inside of a barrel...

(Casa Grande Police Department photos)

(Casa Grande Police Department photos)

PHOENIX — A man and his mother were arrested Monday after the man’s father was found dismembered and burned at a home in central Arizona, authorities said.

Christopher Chase, 32, allegedly held three people at gunpoint after killing his father and burning the body in Casa Grande. He fled the scene of the fire when firefighters arrived and later turned himself in.

His mother, 56-year-old Melissa Lynne Chase, was also arrested for allegedly helping with the cleanup and concealment of evidence.

Firefighters responded to a residence regarding a structure fire around 1:45 p.m. Monday, the Casa Grande Police Department said.

When fire personnel arrived, they saw a man running away from the property, police said. Firefighters yelled for him to stop, but he fled the area.

A fire was then extinguished within a 55-gallon metal barrel, where fire personnel found portions of a human body inside. Police then responded and started investigating.

About 30 minutes later, Christopher Chase called 911 from a residence down the street from the fire. He allegedly held three people at gunpoint and demanded their keys before calling to turn himself in. None of the victims held at gunpoint were injured.

During the call, he allegedly confessed to burning his father’s body and fleeing when firefighters arrived.

He allegedly shot and killed his father, 57-year-old Thomas Chase, after a physical altercation, police said. The shooting occurred Saturday at the older man’s home, about 2 miles from the scene of the fire two days later.

Christopher Chase was booked into the Pinal County Jail on multiple charges, including murder, concealment of a body, kidnapping, aggravated assault and burglary.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Downtown Phoenix skyline...

KTAR.com

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Sept. 30-Oct. 1

In case you missed it. Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

5 hours ago

A damaged saguaro cactus stands with a recently fallen arm resting on the sidewalk on Aug. 2, 2023,...

Associated Press

Arizona’s biggest city has driest monsoon season since weather service began record-keeping in 1895

After a summer of extreme heat, Arizona’s most populous city is in the record books again. This time Phoenix is notching a record for dry heat.

7 hours ago

King Ranch Goodyear...

Brandon Gray

Harvard Investments acquires master-planned King Ranch community land in Goodyear for $22M

Real estate investment and development company Harvard Investments announced Friday it acquired the master-planned King Ranch community in Goodyear. 

8 hours ago

File photo of a Mesa Police patrol vehicle. A man was killed in a shooting involving Mesa officers ...

KTAR.com

Mesa police pursuit ends with suspect being seriously injured in Tempe

A 21-year-old suspect was seriously injured after being involved in a critical incident with Mesa police Saturday night near a Tempe intersection, according to officials. 

11 hours ago

D1Training athletes...

KTAR.com

Former youth coaches bring open group fitness to Mesa with D1Training franchise

On Oct. 9, D1Training will have a new franchise in East Mesa near Crismon Road and Southern Avenue led by two former youth coaches.

16 hours ago

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)...

Kim Komando

Shopping under surveillance: How retailers track you & how to be invisible

If you have a pulse and an internet connection, companies want all the details they can get on what you’re willing to buy — and it’s getting harder to tell where they’re getting all that info.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

...

Mayo Clinic

Game on! Expert sports physicals focused on you

With tryouts quickly approaching, now is the time for parents to schedule physicals for their student-athlete. The Arizona Interscholastic Association requires that all student-athletes must have a physical exam completed before participating in team practices or competition.

Arizona man accused of dismembering father, burning body in barrel