Yavapai County deputies checking on a resident who did not pick up his mail for more than two years discovered a stranger living inside the home and human remains in a fire pit, authorities said.
Terry Welfenberg, 76, admitted to deputies that he broke into 67-year-old John McCabe's residence and had been living there for some time.
“Due to the suspicious circumstances, including no sign of the victim himself and some odd behavior displayed by Mr. Welfenberg, deputies left and contacted YCSO detectives in the Criminal Investigations Bureau for their assistance,” the sheriff's office said of the April 7 welfare check.
After obtaining a search warrant, deputies arrested the squatter on burglary and firearm theft before making a gruesome discovery inside the residence.
Skull fragments and human bones were found in a fire pit near the trailer in addition to a medical ID bracelet and a wallet belonging to McCabe.
“What could have been a simple welfare check on a man who may have simply left the area, was only discovered to be something far more nefarious because of the responding deputies and the tenacity of the CIB detectives,” Sheriff David Rhodes said.
“Now a suspected murderer is in custody and there can be justice for a man whose tragic death may never have been discovered.”
