Restaurant owner indicted for murder of teen found 'burned beyond recognition' in Tonto National Forest

MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA: An Arizona man has been charged with the murder of a teenager who was discovered dead in a bonfire pit in the Tonto National Forest last year, with his limbs "burned beyond recognition," as announced by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on Friday, April 5.

Anthonie Ruinard Jr, aged 38, formerly the owner of the now-shuttered Tucson restaurant Pastiche Modern Eatery, was arrested in July 2023 on suspicion of the murder of Parker League, an 18-year-old visitor who had recently graduated from high school in Nebraska.

Anthonie Ruinard Jr charged with concealment of dead body

League, who was identified through dental records, was reportedly spending time with friends in Tempe after completing high school in Nebraska, according to ABC15. 

“Experienced homicide prosecutors in my office combed through nearly 4,000 pages of material submitted in this homicide case. After five months of careful review, we were able to secure this indictment,” Mitchell said of the case, submitted in October 2023 for review, KTAR reported.

Mitchell went on to say, “This is the next step in bringing justice to Parker League and his family.”

Ruinard's trial for two charges is scheduled for July 17, with an indictment for an additional six charges. He faces one count of abandonment or concealment of a dead body alongside second-degree murder, leading to charges as a class one felony and a class five felony.

League was reported missing from Tempe, and his deceased body was discovered in the Tonto National Forest on June 12, 2023.

Court records show that League was repeatedly stabbed in the back with an unidentified sharp object before being dismembered and decapitated with an unidentified sharp weapon.

According to court records, League's hands and head were removed and positioned near his legs.

Surveillance footage showed League and Ruinard

According to court documents, in the early hours of June 11, League was dropped off at a Phoenix nightclub, shortly before Ruinard and an unidentified woman also entered the same establishment.

CCTV footage corroborates this assertion. However, court documents indicate that approximately an hour later, all three individuals were observed exiting the nightclub together, as reported by azcentral.

The last known sighting of League was captured on camera that same day at a Chandler gas station, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Court documents reveal that League was captured on video driving Ruinard away from the establishment in the suspect's black 2019 Dodge Challenger. Charge sheets further indicate that blood was discovered on the Challenger's rear bumper, and a basketball-sized blood stain was located in the trunk of the vehicle.

Per court records, Ruinard informed investigators that he had procured bank cards from the victim at Circle K and had arranged to meet League there.

According to the County Attorney's Office report, Ruinard purportedly made attempts to use League's credit cards following his demise. Additionally, League's bank cards were reportedly captured on camera in various locations after his passing, as per the Sheriff's Office.

According to court documents, Ruinard encountered a victim from whom he purchased bank cards, who subsequently passed away. He allegedly attempted to utilize these cards after the victim's death.

Additionally, Ruinard was discovered in possession of cocaine valued at $27,000 and marijuana, potentially affecting his recollection of events.