Authorities in Glendale, Arizona believe that the remains found in a backyard earlier this month belong to a missing 16-year-old boy from Queen Creek. The body, believed to be the teenager who went missing last year, was discovered on June 8 in the backyard of a home near 53rd Avenue and Cactus Road.

According to Glendale authorities, a tip provided by the person who drew the boy's tattoos led to the identification of the remains. The individual immediately recognized the tattoos, helping officials link the body to the missing teen. The police are currently withholding the name of the teenager until the autopsy results are released.

The boy was last seen in October 2023, and investigators suspect that his body had been concealed in the backyard since then. Unfortunately, authorities have stated that his death appears to be a result of self-infliction. The discovery of the remains came as landscapers were clearing overgrown weeds in the yard. The renters living at the residence flagged the presence of the body.

Jose Santiago from the Glendale Police Department explained that the location where the body was found was secluded and rarely frequented by the residents, adding that the overgrown vegetation acted as camouflage for the individual.

The identified remains match the description of a boy between 15 and 16 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, with brown hair. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager's disappearance and tragic death.

As the community mourns the loss of the young individual, the authorities are working tirelessly to bring closure to the case and find answers for the grieving family.