Three men are behind bars facing first degree murder charges in the brutal killing of 30-year-old Bernardo Pantaleon.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, officers made the arrests after an exhaustive investigation by detectives and crime scene personnel.
Mr. Pantaleon was found dead having suffering from significant bodily trauma on November 26, 2023 at a park near 7th Avenue and Cinnabar Avenue. Detectives responded to take over the investigation. The scene was extensively searched and processed for evidence. Several methods of investigative tools and databases were utilized in helping to solve this murder case. As detectives continued to work relentlessly on this case three men were identified as suspects.
On Saturday, December 2, 2023, three men identified as 21-year-old Leonardo Santiago, 21-year-old Manuel Carrasco Calderon, and 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez were arrested. They were interviewed at police headquarters by detectives. During the interviews, all three men confessed to the murder of Bernardo. They were later booked into jail on various charges including first degree murder.