Ariz. man arrested for allegedly killing, dismembering high school grad who was found dead in burn pile

PHOENIX (TCD) -- A 37-year-old man was taken into custody on murder and other charges several weeks after a recent high school graduate from Nebraska was found dead and dismembered in a burn pile in a remote area.

On July 5, detectives from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Tactical Enforcement Unit arrested Anthonie Ruinard on suspicion of killing 18-year-old Parker League and using his debit card to make transactions. According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, League and Ruinard were seen June 11 leaving a gas station and getting into a black Dodge Challenger. That was reportedly the last time League was seen alive.

Detectives searched Ruinard’s Challenger and found League’s DNA in the trunk. Ruinard was then taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of narcotic drug possession for sale, one count of drug possession equipment for manufacturing, one count of narcotic drug manufacture, two counts of possession weapon by a prohibited person, one count of theft credit card, one count of fraudulent use of credit card, and one count of abandonment/conceal dead body/parts.

League’s family reported him missing to the Tempe Police Department on June 15. Three days earlier, officials found a body in a bonfire pit that was later positively identified as League’s, KPNX-TV reports. He was reportedly supposed to fly home to Nebraska from Arizona the day officials located his remains.

According to court documents cited by AZFamily.com, League went to a club in Phoenix in the early morning hours of June 11. Several hours later, Ruinard and his girlfriend arrived at the same establishment. League, Ruinard, and his girlfriend reportedly left the club at approximately 3:45 a.m., and surveillance footage put them at the gas station at about 4:30 a.m.

At approximately 9 p.m. on June 11, Ruinard allegedly tried to purchase a rifle scope at a local Walmart, but the transaction did not go through. League’s body was found at 7 a.m. the next day.

Court documents say detectives found a large pool of League’s blood in Ruinard’s trunk, as well as several baggies of cocaine. A large piece of rug from inside Ruinard’s home was reportedly missing as well.

According to AZFamily.com, Maricopa County detectives said League’s head and hands were cut off and left next to his body in the bonfire burn pit. Officials reportedly needed to use dental records to positively identify League.

Ruinard is being held in the Maricopa County Jail with bond set at $2 million.

MORE:

• MCSO Detectives Arrest Suspect in Parker League’s Case - Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
• Body found in bonfire pile in Tonto National Forest identified as missing teen - KPNX
• Man arrested in teen’s murder after body found in bonfire pit near Apache Junction - AZFamily.com
• Missing Nebraska teen found dead in bonfire pit in Arizona days after graduating from high school - TCD