Pinal County Sheriff detectives have identified the woman’s body found in the desert north of Stanfield Road and Highway 84 as that of Nicole Rivas, age 37. Ms. Rivas was reported missing to Phoenix Police on June 6, and positively identified this morning by family members.
Preliminary findings point to suspicious circumstances of her death; however, details are not available for public release at this time. The cause and manner of death was not apparent to investigating officers.
On June 10, just after 7 a.m., the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) was notified by a resident that a dead body was found on his property in Stanfield. Deputies responded to meet the reporting party, who directed them to a desert location north of Stanfield Road and Highway 84 a few miles west of Casa Grande.
Deputies located the body of Ms. Rivas in a desert area under low shrubs. Ms. Rivas had apparently died days before discovery. Deputies were not immediately able to determine how the victim died. She was clothed but had no identification or signs of trauma.
The homeowner was interviewed and said that a farm worker had discovered the body late the evening before and notified him. This morning when it got light, he went to the location described by the worker and found the body. He saw she was obviously dead and called PCSO.
Anyone that may have information about this case, please notify the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at 520-866-5111.