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Cops investigate double murder scene
Written by Staff Reporter   
Friday, 06 January 2012 11:46

Statewide media swarmed the homicide scene Friday, Jan. 6, just south of Sedona while forensics crews attempted to salvage evidence in what the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office declared a double homicide.

YCSO deputies and the Arizona Department of Public Safety officers worked into the night Friday, Jan. 6, at the scenic overlook at mile post 364 between Forest Road 89B and Page Springs Road southeast of State Route 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona.

A red Subaru with New Hampshire license plates was found at the site and contained two dead bodies, an adult man and woman, according to Dwight D'Evelyn, public information officer for YCSO.

The victims have been identified as James Johnson, 63, from Jaffrey, N.H., and Carol Raynsford, 63, from Nelson, N.H.

YCSO found shell casings and other evidence indicating one or more suspects fired from outside the car striking both victims. A motive has not yet been developed, according to D'Evelyn.

The bodies were removed from the location Friday night and taken to the medical examiner to be identified.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officers search the surrounding hillside Friday, Jan. 6, next to the scenic overlook on the south side of State Route 89A near the Sedona Wastewater Treatment Plant. Two bodies were discovered in a idling vehicle in the parking area of the overlook around 11 a.m. DPS and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene along with the Sedona Fire District.

Officers drew their weapons and headed into the forest surrounding the area after the victims were found around 11:30 a.m., according to Sedona Red Rock News reporters on scene. Passengers, who may have found and reported the bodies, from three Jeeps parked at the location were interviewed.

YCSO is on the lookout for a 1998 to 2002 white Dodge of Chevy 1/2-ton pickup truck with an older white camper shell and faded white paint. The vehicle has red ribbons hanging from the rearview mirror. Use all caution if the truck is located. The suspect or suspects are considered armed and dangerous. This does not preclude other vehicles which may be involved in this incident.

YCSO detectives are requesting contact from anyone who was in this area recently to immediately call YCSO at (928) 771-3260. Even if you think the information may not be significant, YCSO encourages you to call and share what you know to help determine a timeline of events leading up to the murders. You can also report information anonymously to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1 (800) 932-3232.

Last Updated on Sunday, 08 January 2012 13:02
 

Comments  

 
-3 #8 angela 2012-01-12 15:30
Quoting deborahs:
we were in the area that day staying in sedona. on our way to jerome about 12 we passed the scene nd then again on the way back into sedona. we thought something terrible must have happened there . does anyone know the type of vehicle the suspect that was caught in phoenix was driving...

he was driving a 1998 toyota sienna van champagne in color. he ha a pit bull dog. this man was living in his van, had lost his job a few mos ago. he was a victim as well as the couple and the cop.
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0 #7 deborahs 2012-01-10 22:21
we were in the area that day staying in sedona. on our way to jerome about 12 we passed the scene nd then again on the way back into sedona. we thought something terrible must have happened there . does anyone know the type of vehicle the suspect that was caught in phoenix was driving...
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+1 #6 Doug3 2012-01-10 16:05
What you say is militarization I say is common sense and dealing with reality!

I'm sure if the DPS had just clubs and met up with these criminals and politely asked them to lay down their guns they would do so. Only in a naive and myopic world would that happen.
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+5 #5 Jim Smith 2012-01-09 16:09
Mr Aaron Smith, I am sure we are no related. What was the culprit who killed two innocent people armed with? Do you remember the two armed bank robbers who held the LAPD at bay a number of years back? The LAPD was outgunned by these two. So, what should the police be armed with? BB guns? Please, Mr. Smith, educate yourself. Talk to the police, attend a Citizens Police Academy.
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+15 #4 Just a thought 2012-01-09 09:52
In a war do you expect them to be armed with fly swatters? I personally feel better knowing that when a whacko thug goes bazerk someone will be showing up with equal firepower. Sad that this is the world we live in but it is.
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+11 #3 TJL 2012-01-09 09:37
how else do you want the Police to deal with whackos?
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-3 #2 Monroe 2012-01-07 17:28
Hi Faye
Here's the big story
Monroe
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-24 #1 aaron smith 2012-01-06 19:09
does something seem wrong when the local dps officers are carrying automatic weapons in a area that is so far in the boonies?.. something is wrong with the militerization of the small town police departments.
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