Investigators tie murder scene to teen's kidnapping

Within a matter of hours, an investigation into a Pinal County girl’s abduction has expanded to include a murder. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has ordered an autopsy on a burned body discovered Monday in the desert to determine whether investigators have found 17-year-old Amber LeAnn Hess, who was last heard from Friday.

The body was found in an area off of Hunt Highway, about five miles northwest of Florence. Investigators found evidence at the site that connects the case to the other crime scene — the home where Amber lives with her parents, said Pinal County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jerald Monahan.

Authorities declined to say what that evidence included.

However, Monahan said Amber is still listed as a missing person until tests confirm otherwise.

On Sunday night after a weekend out of town, Amber’s parents, Mike and Candy Hess, returned home to a disturbing scene. There was blood in the kitchen, and their daughter, her car and a handgun were missing, the sheriff’s office said.

The single-story house sits on a dirt lot in the 32000 block of North Nancy Way, an unincorporated area about four miles south of Queen Creek near Hunt Highway and Thompson Road.

The neighborhood has only a few homes and is described as quiet.

On Monday morning, sheriff’s deputies called the case an abduction and said they suspected foul play.

By that night, the sheriff’s office and the FBI had worked together on the case but had no information on a possible suspect. Monahan said the crime does not appear to be a random act of violence, and Amber probably knew her abductor or abductors.

The sheriff’s office believes her missing 2002 four-door Mitsubishi Lancer could lead them to whomever is responsible. They are asking for the public’s help locating the car. The white vehicle has an Arizona license plate of 329 RJN with a Playboy bunny sticker in the back window.

The vehicle had on a spare tire, which is missing a hub cap, as well as right rear damage and left front-end damage.

The case has left authorities and Amber’s family with many questions. It isn’t clear what happened to the teen.

“All we know is Amber is missing and we want her back,” her father, Mike Hess, said earlier that day.

Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Clint Lee said there was no sign of forced entry at the home.

A deputy patrolling found the burned body at 12:40 p.m. when he was driving west of Hunt Highway near the Anthem at Merrill Ranch housing development. The site is about 15 miles from her home.

The discovery came a little more than an hour after her parents had pleaded for her return.

Candy Hess, her eyes swollen with tears, had stood outside her home. Mike Hess remained stoic while at her side.

“Whomever, whomever, has got her please, please just take her somewhere,” Candy Hess said. “You don’t have to be seen, just drop her somewhere so she can come home and we can take care of her.”

Amber had recently graduated from Coolidge High School. She enjoyed designing her own clothes and contemplated becoming a clothing designer, said her grandfather, Fritz Miller, of Phoenix.

“She’s a lovely girl, my granddaughter,” Miller said. “I love her dearly.”

Her father said she had his attitude and her mother’s zest for life. A neighbor said she made friends wherever she went.

Authorities broke the news of the desert discovery to the family shortly after 4 p.m. and said they are distraught.

“They’re fearful that’s their daughter out there — as anybody in that position would be,” Lee said.

The sheriff’s office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in her abduction.

Anyone with information should call the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at (520) 866-6800.