A 31-year-old man was found dead in a riverbed in the West Valley on the morning of July 3, Surprise police confirmed. Officers discovered the body near the intersection of Bell and El Mirage roads, and the department identified Officer Chris Thomas as the agency spokesperson on the case.
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Thomas told reporters that the man was "experiencing homelessness," and said investigators did not suspect foul play. Beyond that, Thomas declined to provide additional information. He said the investigation remained ongoing as police worked to gather more facts about the circumstances of the man's death.
Police did not release the man's name or other identifying details. They also did not provide information about the cause of death or whether the man's remains had been removed from the scene at the time of the statement. Thomas reiterated that no indication of criminal activity had been identified by responding officers or investigators as of the time of the update.
A Surprise police vehicle with emergency lights activated at a scene after officers discovered a man's body in a West Valley riverbed on July 3, 2026.
The location where the body was found — near Bell and El Mirage roads in the city of Surprise — is a part of the West Valley where dry washes and riverbeds cross urban and suburban areas. A city sign marks the jurisdiction where the investigation is being handled.
A City of Surprise sign; the man was found in Surprise, Arizona, near Bell and El Mirage roads, police said.
Officials with the Surprise Police Department provided only the brief statement identifying the man as 31 years old and noting his housing status, and they emphasized that their work to determine the circumstances of his death was continuing. No other agencies or offices were named in the initial update, and no timeline was given for when further information might be released. The department did not offer details on whether neighbors, passersby or city staff initially reported the discovery to police.
As of the latest statement from Surprise police, investigators had not publicly disclosed any evidence suggesting the death was the result of violence or a criminal act. The department also did not provide details about whether the man had been in the area for an extended period or how long the body had been at the scene before it was discovered by officers the morning of July 3. Thomas declined to release further specifics while the investigation was underway.
The case remains an active investigation by the Surprise Police Department. Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the department as they continue to assemble facts and determine next steps. No additional updates were available at the time of the initial release.
Surprise police have transferred the case to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office after learning the riverbed location fell under county jurisdiction. MCSO investigators believe the 31-year-old died from a medical issue, with the exact cause to be determined by the medical examiner. (azcentral.com)
Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez was identified as the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson who addressed the case after the county assumed jurisdiction.