Former Restaurant Owner Accused of Killing and Dismembering Ariz. Teen, Whose Remains Were Found Burned

Anthonie Ruinard Jr., 38, is suspected of stabbing, burning and dismembering 18-year-old Parker League last June, prosecutors say

A grand jury has indicted a man accused of killing a teenage boy whose remains were found burned and dismembered in an Arizona forest last summer, prosecutors announced.

Anthonie Ruinard Jr., 38, has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and abandonment or concealment of a dead body in connection with the death of 18-year-old Parker League, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in an April 5 press release.

It’s unclear if Ruinard has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

On June 12, 2023, League’s remains were found in a debris pile in an area of the Tonto National Forest in Chandler, Ariz., known as “The Pit.” Mitchell said he had been dismembered, stabbed, and “burned beyond recognition,” and had to be identified using dental records.

Ruinard was arrested on July 5, 2023, and charged with first-degree murder and other criminal offenses after investigators allegedly found a match for League’s DNA in the trunk of Ruinard’s Dodge Challenger, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office previously said in a statement. Still, Mitchell said the MCSO submitted the case to her office for review in October 2023.

Related: Man Charged with Murder in Death of Teen Whose Body Was Found Burning in Ariz. Bonfire Pit

According to Arizona Republic, KOLD-TV and Arizona Daily Star, Ruinard Jr. is the former owner of a restaurant in Tucson, Ariz., called Pastiche Modern Eatery. City records obtained by Arizona Daily Star show the restaurant was closed in February 2021 after a small fire.

In announcing Ruinard’s arrest, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said they tracked Ruinard down after surveillance video from a gas station in Chandler showed League and Ruinard leaving a store together in a black Dodge Challenger on June 11. This was the last time investigators said League was seen on video alive.

According to the sheriff’s office, video footage also showed League’s bank card being used after he had died.

The teen had flown into Arizona to visit friends on June 9, and was reported missing by family on June 12, the same day he was expected to return home, Arizona Republic reports, citing unspecified court documents. According to KETV, League had recently graduated from high school in Nebraska.

Related: Teen Who Went on Graduation Trip Is Found Dead, Burning in Ariz. Bonfire Pit, Police Call Death 'Malicious'

“Experienced homicide prosecutors in my office combed through nearly 4,000 pages of material submitted in this homicide case. After five months of careful review, we were able to secure this indictment,” County Attorney Mitchell said in the release. “This is the next step in bringing justice to Parker League and his family.”

Mitchell said the case is expected to go to trial in July.

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