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Yuma Man Arrested on Murder and Sexual Conduct Charges in Death of Missing 15-Year-Old

Law enforcement credited evidence from a months-long investigation for the arrest with criminal proceedings pending.

Overview

  • Deputies arrested 52-year-old Mark Spadt on Thursday after identifying him as the suspect in the June death of a 15-year-old who had been reported missing from San Luis.
  • The girl's body was found June 1 near Adams Avenue and Tera Lane and was unidentified for two days before deputies confirmed she was the missing 15-year-old on June 3.
  • Authorities say Spadt had been named a person of interest early in the probe and was taken into custody Aug. 13 with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Border Patrol.
  • Spadt was booked on charges including first-degree murder, two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, custodial interference and evidence tampering.
  • Officials have not released the victim’s name or the official cause of death, investigators say the probe is ongoing, and the case will move into criminal proceedings.