A family member's 911 call for a welfare check on Aug. 4 led authorities to a Litchfield Park, Arizona residence where they discovered the bodies of Hector Flores and Larissa Flores buried in their own backyard — allegedly placed there by their son after he learned his father had been unfaithful to his mother.
The couple's 27-year-old son, Matthew Christopher Flores Semyonov, is now wanted by law enforcement on charges including first-degree murder. Police say he fled the country and remains at large as authorities continue their search.
Hector and Larissa Flores had not been heard from since July 29, according to a police report obtained by AZFamily. When family members called for a welfare check on Aug. 4, officers were granted entry into the couple's residence but the caller stayed outside, telling authorities he feared "what police would find in the home."
Background
Inside the home, investigators discovered large amounts of blood and signs that someone had attempted to clean up the scene, according to the police report. Officers continued their search around the property and eventually located two bodies buried in the backyard.
Family members told police that Flores Semyonov's behavior changed dramatically before his parents' deaths. After finishing college, he moved back in with his parents and stopped socializing almost entirely, authorities said. Relatives also reported that he had been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
According to relatives who spoke with investigators, Flores Semyonov once told his mother he was watering plants in the middle of the night because "the plants told me they were thirsty."
The Investigation
Authorities say the investigation revealed that Flores Semyonov discovered his father had been cheating on his mother. Rather than directing his anger solely at his father, police say the son became furious with his mother for choosing to remain in the marriage.
The family member who called 911 recalled hearing threatening words from Flores Semyonov before the deaths: "You'll get what's coming to you," he allegedly said, along with other vague but ominous comments, according to the police report.
Investigators determined that Flores Semyonov fled the United States following the killings. The U.S. Marshals Service District of Arizona is leading the manhunt for the suspect.
"Flores Semyonov is wanted on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and by the Avondale Police Department on charges of first-degree murder – dangerous, domestic violence, and abandonment or concealment of a dead body," according to a U.S. Marshals press release.
Key Takeaways
- Hector Flores and Larissa Flores were reported missing after not being heard from since July 29; their bodies were found buried in their backyard on Aug. 4
- Their son, Matthew Christopher Flores Semyonov, 27, is the sole suspect and remains at large after allegedly fleeing the country
- Police say the suspected motive centers on the son's discovery of his father's infidelity and his anger that his mother chose to stay with her husband
- Investigators found evidence of a violent crime inside the home, including large amounts of blood and signs of an attempted cleanup
- The U.S. Marshals Service is leading the search; authorities have not disclosed where they believe the suspect went
What's Next
Authorities are continuing their investigation while pursuing Flores Semyonov across international lines. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or local law enforcement. Additional details about how he allegedly left the country and where he may be headed have not been publicly released.