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Remains of kidnapped teen found in Arizona desert 9 days after grandfather shot
Composite screenshot of Phoenix Police Department report

Remains of kidnapped teen found in Arizona desert 9 days after grandfather shot

A teen is dead, and his grandfather is recovering from his injuries after a horrific home invasion in Arizona was caught on surveillance video earlier this month.

Around 3:15 a.m. on December 19, two armed suspects wearing baseball caps crept inside a home in Phoenix, Arizona. Within moments, a grandfather, who was asleep, was shot, and 17-year-old Jesse Sainz Camacho was taken hostage. Camacho was then forced into "a dark colored sedan" and driven away, a police report stated.

One neighbor and former classmate of Camacho claimed he heard the shooting that night through his bedroom window. "I was awake around two-ish, talking to my friends on the phone," the witness claimed. "And then, I hear gunshots."

Camacho's deceased body was ultimately recovered nine days later at a remote location somewhere in Maricopa County. Investigators have not disclosed the exact location or a cause of death.

The suspects have not been identified and remain on the loose. However, police are confident that the two men were after Camacho, not his grandfather. "Jesse was actually the intended target in that home invasion," Sgt. Philip Krynsky asserted.

Though police would appreciate the public's help in apprehending the suspects, they caution that the men should be considered dangerous. "We don’t suggest that you approach these individuals," said Sgt. Krynsky. "Just give us whatever information you have, so detectives can work those leads and ... hold these individuals responsible for what they did."

Krynsky also attempted to reassure the public that law enforcement officers have no intention of giving up on this case until they see justice served.

"Obviously, [the crime] hurts our community," he said. "We want to make sure we get these individuals off the street. We don’t want there to be any more violence with this. So again, we are looking for you, we’re gonna identify you and hold you accountable."

The grandfather, whose name and age have not been released, is expected to survive his injuries.

The following news report from FOX 10 Phoenix aired the same day Camacho was abducted, before his deceased body had been discovered:

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Cortney Weil

Cortney Weil

Sr. Editor, News

Cortney Weil is a senior editor for Blaze News. She has a Ph.D. in Shakespearean drama, but now enjoys writing about religion, sports, and local criminal investigations. She loves God, her husband, and all things Michigan State.
@cortneyweil →