Carlos Guadalupe Leon Soto and the area where Jose Gutierrez’s remains were recovered (Phoenix PD and KSAZ screenshot)
A 30-year-old man in Arizona has been arrested for allegedly dismembering his friend’s body, flushing his organs down the toilet, and stuffing the remains inside multiple trash bags which he then left to rot in a Phoenix alleyway.
Carlos Guadalupe Leon Soto was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with one count each of hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and abandonment or concealment of a dead body, authorities announced. According to a press release from the Phoenix Police Department, investigators identified the deceased victim as 34-year-old Jose Gutierrez.
The investigation began at about 2:30 p.m. on June 28 when officers with the Phoenix Police Department responded to a call regarding “unknown trouble,” during which the caller told the dispatcher they could “smell a foul odor” coming from a bag located in the area of 39th Avenue and McDowell Road. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders located and opened the bag, which appeared to contain human remains.
PPD detectives were dispatched to the scene and set up a perimeter around the bag before confirming that bag was filled with human remains. Two additional bags were located next to the original bag, both of which also contained human remains.
According to a police report obtained by Phoenix CBS affiliate KPHO-TV, investigators emptied the contents of the bag and found that there was no head. The remains were sent to the crime lab where investigators were able to identify the victim as Gutierrez.
Investigators obtained surveillance camera footage from the area that reportedly showed a man resembling Soto walking by the area where the bags were left and entering a nearby apartment complex. Police showed the photo to residents of the building and were able to identify him as Soto.
