A former Sedona resident who was part of a grand jury indictment against him and his fiancee for allegedly sexually molesting a minor is dead.

Sgt. Mercedes Fortune, of the Phoenix Police Department, confirmed that on July 31, Phoenix police officers responded to 2000 E. Highland Avenue for a death investigation.

“There is no evidence of foul play,” Fortune said. “The person has been identified as Matthew Kevin Dunlap.”

The cause of death will be determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner.

On May 22, the Arizona Attorney General’s office announced a grand jury indictment against 40-year-old Dunlap and his fiancee, 36-year-old Marisa Marie Claire. The two had been living in Sedona but moved to Phoenix prior to their arrest on May 11, which came during a joint operation by Sedona and Phoenix police departments. They were arrested on multiple charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 7-year-old Sedona girl.

Dunlap was indicted on 33 counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual conduct with a minor, and furnishing harmful or obscene materials to a minor. Claire was indicted on four felony counts, including molestation of a child, sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. Dunlap, a Mingus Union High School graduate, was also accused of possessing child pornography.

The alleged abuse began in late 2016 in Coconino and Yavapai counties and went on for nearly a year. According to the AG’s office, Dunlap was accused of taking videos of the sex acts on his phone and/or tablet.

Claire allegedly participated in at least two instances of abuse on video, the indictment states. The allegations came to light in February 2018 when the alleged victim told her parents about the videos and her parents called the Sedona Police Department. An investigation into the allegations was opened in cooperation with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Shortly after Dunlap’s arrest, bond in the amount of $150,000 was paid and he was released from the Maricopa County Jail. Attorney General spokeswoman Katie Conner said the case against Claire will proceed with a trial scheduled for Jan. 22, 2019.

Lt. Lucas Wilcoxson, of the Sedona Police Department, confirmed that Dunlap had confessed to the sexual abuse following his arrest, but that Claire did not confess to any wrongdoing.

“These are always very difficult cases to work,” SPD Chief David McGill said after the couple’s arrest. “Our investigators worked extremely hard on this case, especially over the last weekend preparing and serving the warrants. Although two persons were arrested and will be held to answer for their crimes, there are no winners in this case. Our hearts go out to the victim and her family.”

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 122, or email reland@larsonnewspapers.com