A man is in custody in connection to a homicide and kidnapping investigation in Cochise County.
On Friday, January 3, 2025, at approximately 8:10 pm, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a woman reporting being kidnapped in Pearce by a male subject.
Upon deputies’ arrival at a residence and making contact with a 75-year-old female, they were advised that the victim was at her residence in Pearce at approximately 3:00 pm when a male subject, identified as 37-year-old Rynn Prairie-Rocca, wearing a mask and dark clothing came into her workshop at the rear of the home and pointed a handgun at her.
Prairie-Rocca forced the victim into the home and restrained her while also blindfolding her.
The victim said she heard several loud noises a short time later but was unaware of what was happening. After dark, Prairie-Rocca moved the victim to her own vehicle, a 2007 silver Chevy Avalanche, placing her in the back seat.
The victim advised that when the vehicle stopped, she was able to get out of her restraints and run to a residence for help. The victim advised that Prairie-Rocca had gone into the Dollar General and she believed he was still there at the time she asked for help from the local resident.
The victim advised that her boyfriend should be at her home and requested deputies’ contact him to let him know she was going to be transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor wounds sustained during the incident.
Deputies traveled to the victim’s home and attempted to make contact with anyone in the home. After no success, entry was made to the residence where a 67-year-old male was discovered deceased.
Deputies then began searching for Prairie-Rocca, issuing a shelter in place after it was found he was barricaded in the area of Catclaw Road and AZ-181. He was taken into custody Saturday afternoon and booked into the Cochise County Jail.