Wyoming man arrested after missing man's body found in rural creek with stab wounds

CASPER, Wyo. (TCD) -- A 40-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder last week after police found a missing man’s body in a rural Natrona County creek.

The Casper Police Department announced September 3 that they arrested Justin Armando Marquez in connection with the homicide of Ryan Schroeder. One day before announcing Marquez’s arrest, the police department said they discovered Schroeder’s body. He had been not been seen since July.

According to the Casper Police Department, Schroeder was reported missing July 6, 2021. During their investigation, detectives determined he was most likely deceased. Detectives did not believe this was a random act and assured the public there was not a threat.

The Casper Star-Tribune, citing Marquez’s arrest affidavit, says Schroeder was stabbed at least 25 times. Investigators believe he died some time between June 26 and July 10. According to Oil City News, Schroeder was discovered wearing a shirt, shorts, and socks, but no shoes.

Casper Police said Schroeder was planning to travel from Casper to Denver on June 24. A witness reportedly told investigators Schroeder was last seen June 26 leaving a Denver motel with Marquez, according to the Casper Star-Tribune. Marquez and Schroeder reportedly had 67 phone calls between them since the beginning of June.

According to the affidavit cited by the Casper Star-Tribune, Marquez’s vehicle was found in a storage facility in Paradise Valley. Police reportedly discovered blood in the car, including on the windshield and driver’s window. Police also believe there was a "very bloody object" placed on the passenger seat.

Oil City News reports investigators were led to a homestead camp in Coal Mountain on August 30. They reportedly found a bloody towel, as well as a wooden dowel, a large polo shirt, leather belt remnants, drawstrings from a garbage bag, a phone battery, and a phone charging cord. The objects allegedly matched certain items found at Marquez’s residence, including a receipt for the wooden dowel.

Marquez was reportedly being held in the Natrona County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash bond.

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