A Gilbert man shot and killed his 3-year-old daughter and then turned the gun on himself Sunday, according to Mesa police.
The bodies of Ryan Peters and Teigan Peters, killed from apparent gunshot wounds, were found in Coconino County at a campsite in the area of Parissawampitts Point off Highway 67, which leads to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
"Teigan ... was a lively, beautiful, young 3-year-old girl who brought joy and laughter to every life she touched during her brief journey on earth," her family wrote in a statement. "She loved singing Mother Goose nursery rhymes and the Wiggles."
Police identified the girl with her father's surname while the family referred to her as Teigan Brown, her mother's surname.
According to Sgt. Ed Wessing, Mesa police spokesman, the search for Peters and his daughter began about 5:30 p.m., when the man's father called Mesa police, worried that his son was suicidal.
Peters and the girl's mother have been divorced since April 2007, according to family court records, but tension between Peters, his ex-wife and her boyfriend had been escalating in recent days.
The mother, Tisha Brown, 26, filed for an order of protection against Peters on Thursday.
"He is stalking me and harassing me," she wrote.
Brown alleged that Peters or a co-worker had parked outside her boyfriend's home, took pictures and then sped away when she approached.
"He has threatened to come to my boyfriend's home, and he accuses me of living there with our daughter, which he doesn't want."
Also on Thursday, Peters filed for an injunction against harassment against Brown's boyfriend, accusing the boyfriend of threatening him.
"I believe he will come to my home and try to hurt me and or harbor my daughter from me," Peters wrote.
Brown filed a report with Gilbert police on Friday, alleging custodial interference, when he didn't return Teigan as stipulated by a custody agreement.
When Mesa investigators got involved, they were able to track his phone to a section in northern Arizona.
"All the family knew was he was camping somewhere," Wessing said.
Peters made more calls to his family, making them more worried about his state of mind.
He finally told a relative he was in an area between Jacob Lake and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office sent a deputy, who found the bodies.
"(Sunday), her precious life was taken from us in an act of domestic violence," her family wrote.
The family said they hope to honor Teigan's memory by raising awareness about domestic violence.
okla mom posted at 11:56 pm on Wed, Jun 1, 2011.
I so feel for the mother of this baby girl.. I could never image a to do something like this.my god who could think of killing thier own baby girl for thier own selfish reason's. That MAN should have never been able to be close enough to touch her in his stsate of mind at the time. sounds like his own parents new this and his mother helped in her own way to loose a son and granddaughter in 1 single day.Hope u can live with the words u said quote (she's in good hands) Now god holds in his hands no thanks to u.I don't see how u can sleep at night knowing yourself what ya'll felt he was capable of doing to him self let alone a baby that never would have dreamed her father could do something so herrific she would never see her MOMMY again. Just remember Ms.Brown how could your wildest dreams ever have seen this one comming.[sad][sad][sad] my heart breaks 4 u. But also remember all the time u did have her.and 4 awhile god will hold her close to him in his arms until u renite together once again. and hold and cherish every second with the new baby, She can never take teigans place in your heart. but its amazing how when u give birth to baby the love is there it will come as sone as u see that babys face 4 the first timeand maybe u will not know how ur heart can grow and have room for another. enjoy