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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Sean McPolin

Man, 80, murdered before being dismembered with chainsaw as body found in bags

Police investigating the killing of an 80-year-old man have arrested two suspects after they were allegedly caught pawning the chainsaw used to dismember the victim's body.

Phoenix police said Thomas Wallace was being held Sunday on $1 million (£880,000) cash bond on suspicion of second-degree murder, concealing a dead body, theft of a pickup truck and trafficking in stolen property.

Romana Gonzalez was also being held on suspicion of fraud and theft.

Authorities said Wallace, 58, had been a roommate of the victim and Gonzalez also stayed off and on at the home where the body was found.

It was unclear if either has a lawyer to speak on their behalf.

Police didn't release the victim's identity or the age of Gonzalez.

Ramona Gonzalez has been held on suspicion of fraud and theft (Phoenix Police Department)

Officers entered the home on November 1 for a welfare check and reported finding two black trash bags inside a bedroom, along with severed body parts in a pile of blankets, according to court documents.

Homicide investigators then discovered blood on the ceiling, walls and furniture, and the victim's head in layers of linen.

The victim's missing pickup truck was found at a motel down the street where Wallace and Gonzalez also were located and arrested Thursday, police said.

Police made a number of gruesome discoveries when they entered the property (Fox10)

Wallace and Gonzalez are accused of pawning some of the victim's items last month for $50 (£44), including a 10-inch saw that still had pieces of flesh in the chain, and a camera bag with the victim's business card inside.

Ruby Lowry told Phoenix TV station KPNX that he was a good neighbour who would help anyone, and "he didn't deserve that".

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