The bodies of Michael Careccia and wife Tina were found buried in the backyard of the man who confessed to killing the couple. The missing couple was found after a 10-day search. Jose Valenzuela, 38, admitted to the murder and said that he was high on methamphetamine when he committed the crime. Valenzuela is charged with two counts of first degree murder, Fox News reported.
"Essentially he confessed," Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said. The sheriff told reporters that a .22 caliber revolver, which is possibly the murder weapon, was retrieved from the suspect.
Valenzuela claimed he had known the Careccias for a couple of years and that they used meth together, but the sheriff's department said it would run toxicology tests to confirm the suspect's statement, according to Fox News.
Authorities said that Valenzuela hid the couple's bodies in a grave he dug using a backhoe he borrowed. The suspect also scattered debris at the top of the grave so that it was not immediately noticeable.
"He built not a makeshift grave, but an actual 6-foot grave," the sheriff said, according to the Associated Press.
Valenzuela told investigators that the couple went to his home on the evening of June 21 to ask for meth. They all ended up getting high in the suspect's house. Valenzuela's roommate also joined them in the meth session, New York Daily News reported.
Valenzuela said that "something happened," and he found himself wrestling with Michael. It was during that time that he took his gun and shot Michael and his wife Tina. Afterward, he dug a grave in his backyard and buried the couple there.
Authorities identified the bodies as the missing Arizona couple through their clothing and tattoos. Valenzuela's roommate, who is also being investigated, allegedly fled the scene of the crime out of fear.
"Our investigators and staff continue to carefully gather evidence that we believe will prove critical to our investigation and result in a stronger criminal case," the sheriff's office said, according to New York Daily News.
