Crosses in the desert mark death, GPS location

Maricopa County Sheriff detectives are investigating another dead body found in the desert last week. Sheriff’s detectives responded to a call for a dead body described as a nude Hispanic male who detectives believe likely succumbed to the harsh summer temperatures.

The naked body was located in a known drug trafficking corridor off of I-8 near Gila Bend according to the Sheriff’s department.

A year ago, Sheriff Joe Arpaio promised that deputies would place crosses in the desert where bodies have been located. After the crosses are placed, they mark the GPS coordinates and provide the information to Sheriff’s emergency dispatch to be used during a search and rescue.

By placing the crosses, Sheriff Arpaio hopes the crosses will act as a deterrent to those who cross the desert. If not, according to the Sheriff, they will at least provide vital location data needed to speed up the rescue of people in the desert.

Sheriff Arpaio says, “The human trafficking through our Sonoran desert is causing environmental, health and public safety issues and my office will be addressing some of these issues in the near future.”