Deputies find body in mine shaft 3 charged, 1 with murder

A cadaver-sniffing dog led deputies to an abandoned mine shaft near Arivaca Sunday where they found a body of a man, possibly one missing since last October.

Three people have been arrested, including one on first-degree murder charges, said Pima County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Ogden.

Ogden didn’t say how deep the mine shaft is.

Arrested on first-degree murder charges was Stephanie Lynn Bartlett, 41. Arrested on evidence tampering and obstruction of justice charges were Tommie Joe Holliday, 53, and Stacey Sharpe, 40. All are from the Arivaca area.

Ogden said the Sheriff’s office has been receiving tips about the missing person, including one “88-CRIME tip.”

No details were given on how the body was recovered, but Ogden said a search and rescue team accompanied the deputies to the mine shaft.

Ogden said the body was decomposed and an autopsy should establish the identity of the victim and cause of death.

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