In September of 2002, 60-year-old Arleen Cilione was reported missing to the Prescott Police Department. She was last seen alive during the evening of September 19, 2002, when she left the Donna’s Hut Bar in the 400 block of Goodwin Street, Prescott.
Family members told detectives Arleen was celebrating her 60th birthday that evening as she normally does not celebrate her birthday on September 11th due to the 911 tragedies. Arleen did not own a vehicle and thus usually walked or used a cab service to get around. She resided in the 1100 block of West Gurley Street at the time.
On January 8, 2003, Arleen’s body was found in dense vegetation by a motorist who had pulled off the road on Highway 89, approximately 10 miles south of Prescott. An autopsy completed a short time later confirmed Arleen’s identity and homicide as the manner of death. Since that time, investigators have conducted numerous interviews and served search warrants in an attempt to identify a suspect. Detectives have also followed up on several leads called into Yavapai Silent Witness. A $1000 reward remains available from Silent Witness for any tip leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in this case. Callers to Silent Witness remain anonymous. Additional leads have been developed as a result of interviews in recent years and remain under review.
The YCSO Cold Case Unit is continuing to examine all aspects of this case, including DNA evidence and a timeline of events involving those who had contact with Arleen prior to her death. Friends and family of Arleen continue to urge anyone with information on Arleen’s murder to call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1800-932-3232, or the Cold Case Unit at 928-777-7293.