Tempe man arrested after human remains were found in his backyard freezer

TEMPE, AZ – A Tempe man is in custody after police say they found human remains in a freezer in his backyard earlier this week.

Tempe police say they received a tip Tuesday that a body was in a freezer in the backyard of the 51-year-old man’s home.

Officers went to his home that day, but he refused to let officers look in the freezer.

He told police at the time that his father had died four years ago.

Detectives continued to pursue the tip and developed probable cause for a search warrant.

When that warrant was issued, police found skeletal remains of a human body.

The identity of the person found has not yet been confirmed.

The 51-year-old is currently charged with concealing a body and failing to report a death. Tempe police say more charges could be filed.

Police encourage anyone with information to call them at 480-350-8311. Callers can remain anonymous.