Who is Walter Mitchell? ‘Body broker’ arrested for throwing five severed heads and 24 limbs in Arizona forest
PRESCOTT, ARIZONA: A man described as a “Body broker” has been accused of throwing five severed heads and 24 limbs in an Arizona forest. Police officers arrested Walter Mitchell after they found human remains on Boxing Day, The Sun reported. According to police, the 59-year-old accused owned a business called Future GenX in Seattle, and the remains discovered were reportedly connected to that. The human parts were of those people who apparently donated their bodies to science for research.
Reports also said Mitchell’s business was closed down recently, but why he carried out the alleged crime is not known yet. Officers who found the remains called the case "unimaginable", "bizarre and grisly" and "abhorrent and intolerable". The alleged crime unfolded as Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was called after two human limbs were found outside the city of Prescott, Arizona. The grisly discovery led investigators to search further and they tracked down 19 limbs, including detached arms and legs. They carried out the search operation the next day also and discovered five more limbs alongside five severed human heads at another location.
With the remains, investigators also saw significant signs of medical supplies, like gauze-like material and "puppy pads", on them which led cops to Mitchell. He has been charged with 28 counts of unlawful discarding of human remains as it is a crime to move a body or remains with an aim to desert them. Earlier this year, the man was accused of taking the human remains of five people from his business. In two reports of 2017, he was also featured by Reuters, where he was branded as a "veteran body broker". "If you can’t make a business when you’re getting raw materials for free you're as dumb as a box of rocks," Mitchell said at the time.
In regards to the current scenario, Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher said, “This situation is unimaginable, and I am so sorry for the families whose loved ones were donated to research and treated in such a horrific fashion." While Sheriff-elect David Rhodes stated, “This is a bizarre and grisly case that has more questions than answers at this time. I have confidence we will get those answers soon and find those responsible. The disrespect shown to the deceased in this case by those who were charged with caring for their remains is abhorrent and intolerable." Rhodes also said that Mitchell's arrest was a "big step in getting accountability and honor for those whose remains were so cavalierly treated".
It has been said that the individuals whose body parts have been found are believed to be from the Seattle area where Mitchell’s business was located. Sheriff Mascher added, “At the onset, it was important to determine that this case did not involve a serial killer and is why, working with Sheriff Elect Rhodes, I directed all available resources to the case. As I retire this Friday, I want to thank the community for their support and know the agency will continue to do great work."