The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the body of a missing Phoenix man has been discovered in an isolated part of the desert near Interstate 17.
Benjamin Anderson’s body was found near Table Mesa Road, west of I-17 on Friday after the 41-year-old was reported missing earlier that day. According deputies, investigators were able to positively identified the body on Monday.
Anderson was supposed to meet a friend for breakfast on Friday but canceled at 8 a.m. Anderson had been reported missing to the Phoenix Police Department and his car was later found. It had been set on fire at a hotel Friday night along the Black Canyon Highway.
Anderson’s friend managed to track down his car at the Hotel and reportedly saw three people around the car who he didn’t recognize. He called 911 before discovering the car was set on fire.
Two of the three people seen with the car are described as:
- A woman with a slim build, about 5-foot-11-inches with blonde hair and a pink beanie.
- A man of average height with dark curly hair. He was described as being either light-skinned Latino or white.
An open investigation led by the MCSO Homicide Unit on Anderson’s disappearance and death is underway. Anyone with information is encouraged to call authorities at 602-876-TIPS or 602-876-1011 and reference MCSO #(IR21-037309).
