Arizona police have arrested Jacob Middlebrook, 35, and Layne McIntosh, 36, for first‑degree murder after stabbing a registered sex offender in a desert area. The suspects now face upgraded charges following a swift investigation.
Arizona Couple Charged With First‑Degree Murder
They initially received a second‑degree homicide charge, but detectives upgraded the accusation to first‑degree after determining the killing was pre‑planned. Authorities say the couple expressed hatred toward registered sex offenders and had selected the desert location in advance.
Detectives found the victim, 29‑year‑old Arron Christopher Warren, a Bullhead City transient and Level 2 sex offender, after a motorist reported a body on Silver Creek Road on Saturday. The circumstances appeared suspicious, prompting a homicide investigation.
Warren’s vehicle was missing, but Las Vegas Metro Police located it at a casino in Laughlin, Nevada, leading to the couple’s arrest and booking at the Clark County Detention Center. They will remain in custody pending extradition to Mohave County, Arizona.
Middlebrook and McIntosh told investigators they harbored hatred toward registered sex offenders and had chosen the desert site in advance, even measuring furniture to conceal the body. Police say this planning demonstrates a deliberate intent to kill.
Bullhead City Police Chief Paul George warned that the department will not tolerate any threat or harassment directed at sex offenders, emphasizing that address notifications are meant to inform, not alarm the community. He said the department shares offender information to keep residents safe and to enforce the law.
George added that monthly address verification checks ensure compliance with registration requirements and that the department remains committed to protecting residents. These checks help verify that registered offenders adhere to legal obligations.
