Michael Rodriguez, 48, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Salvador Ortiz Rivera Jr., whose body was discovered hidden under plywood inside a carport-type structure at his home in El Mirage, Arizona, according to the El Mirage Police Department.
Background
The incident occurred at a residence on North Luna Street in El Mirage, a suburb approximately 25 miles northwest of Phoenix. On Wednesday, a state trooper received a tip from a man who had encountered Rodriguez at a QuikTrip gas station, authorities said. The tipster told law enforcement that the victim's body would be found at Rivera's home and that Rodriguez had offered him permission to take whatever he wanted from the property.
When the tipster went to the residence to inventory personal property, he discovered Rivera was dead and chose not to take anything, police said. However, during the early morning hours of that same Wednesday, Rodriguez arrived at the tipster's house with another man, and the three traveled back to Rivera's home, according to charging documents obtained by Arizona's Family (KTVK/KPHO). The purpose, authorities allege, was to retrieve the victim's wallet—which contained $5,000 in the bank.
The tipster told police he could not bring himself to take the dead man's wallet and informed Rodriguez that it was gone. After processing what had occurred, the tipster went to the QuikTrip to report the situation when he encountered the state trooper.
The Investigation
When authorities arrived at Rivera's home, they discovered his decomposing body concealed underneath a plywood cover in a concrete-lined vehicle repair pit within the carport-type structure, police said. An autopsy revealed the victim had a plastic bag over his head and marks consistent with strangulation.
Investigators learned that the tipster had last seen Rivera alive on either Saturday or Sunday, according to law enforcement. Detectives then proceeded to Rodriguez's residence, located just a few blocks away, where they conducted questioning.
During interrogation, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to having ongoing conflicts with his father. 'He responded that he was not like his dad; he stated that he was good and that his dad put him in prison for not minding his business at the compound,' an officer wrote in charging documents. Rodriguez reportedly said he had served six years in prison.
The defendant told investigators his father drank heavily and that 'we got into it,' before stating he 'lost it' after Rivera called him 'crazy,' according to law enforcement. Rodriguez allegedly said he blacked out during the subsequent physical altercation and awoke to find his father dead. 'I need somehow to get rid of the body,' was his first thought upon making that discovery, the defendant allegedly stated.
As questioning continued, Rodriguez admitted he struck Rivera in the head with a bar and then disposed of both the weapon and the shoes he wore during the incident, police said.
The Charges
Rodriguez has been charged with second-degree murder, abandonment or concealment of a dead body, and a probation violation. He is being held in the Maricopa County Jail on $2 million bond.
During his arraignment, Rodriguez addressed the court extensively, reportedly expressing no regrets about the incident while seemingly accusing his father of gang affiliations. 'You know who my dad is?' he asked. 'La Familia. That's who he is. That's who he was. A bad dude. A bad man. I had to stop him.'
Key Takeaways
- Michael Rodriguez, 48, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father, Salvador Ortiz Rivera Jr.
- Police discovered the victim's body hidden under plywood in a concrete vehicle repair pit at an El Mirage residence.
- Autopsy findings indicated strangulation and a plastic bag over the victim's head.
- Rodriguez allegedly admitted to striking his father with a bar after 'losing it' during an argument.
- The defendant is being held on $2 million bond in Maricopa County Jail.
What's Next
Rodriguez remains in custody pending further court proceedings. No trial date has been set, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Rivera's death is ongoing. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek additional charges as the case develops.