Man Arrested for Storing Father's Decomposing Body in Freezer to Prevent Home Foreclosure, Police Report

Man Allegedly Kept Father's Decomposing Body in Freezer to Avoid Losing Home, Police Say

Source: NewsChannel 10

Incident Overview

A Shocking Revelation

• Joseph Daniel Hill Jr., a 51-year-old resident of Tempe, Arizona, allegedly stored his deceased father's body in a backyard freezer for four years.
• Police were alerted by an anonymous tip about the suspicious storage of human remains.

Initial Police Response

• Upon arrival, officers spoke with Hill Jr. who claimed his father died in Oregon four years prior.
• He refused permission for police to inspect the freezer, leading to a further investigation.

Investigation Developments

Detective Efforts

• No record could be found regarding the death of Hill Sr., who was still listed as the home's owner and had been collecting Social Security benefits.
• Detectives eventually obtained a search warrant and returned to the property.

Discoveries Inside the Freezer

• When inspected, the freezer contained skeletal remains and significant biological evidence, hidden under layers of protective materials.
• Hill Jr. confessed he was present during his father's death, stating he did not report it out of fear of losing the house.

Legal Consequences

Charges Filed

• Joseph Daniel Hill Jr. was arrested and charged with failure to report a death and concealing a dead body.
• The Maricopa County Medical Examiner is tasked with confirming the identity of the remains and investigating the cause of death.