The serenity of Tonto National Forest near Chandler, Arizona was disrupted last summer by a gruesome incident. The horrific case revolves around Anthonie Ruinard Jr., a 38-year-old former restaurant owner from Tucson, Arizona. Community members have been stunned by the brutal nature of the crime. Parker League, an 18-year-old from Gretna, Nebraska, was found dismembered, stabbed, and burned beyond identification.
Rachel Mitchell, the Maricopa County Attorney, revealed on April 5, 2024, that a grand jury had indicted Ruinard on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a dead body. This announcement brought the grim details of League’s death to light. League’s remains were found on June 12, 2023, in a remote area of the forest ominously named “The Pit”. The victim’s identity was confirmed through dental records, and the case has since gained national attention.
Ruinard, the former owner of Pastiche Modern Eatery in Tucson, a restaurant that closed in February 2021 after a minor fire, was apprehended on July 5, 2023. The arrest was made after DNA evidence and surveillance footage tied him directly to the crime. The footage, obtained from a Chandler gas station, captured the last known image of League alive, showing him and Ruinard leaving together in a black Dodge Challenger on June 11.
League had traveled to Arizona in a spirit of celebration and fresh starts. After graduating from Gretna High School in May, he flew to Arizona to visit friends. His family reported him missing on June 12, the day he was scheduled to return home.
An investigation into League’s death revealed unsettling information. Surveillance footage placed League and Ruinard together shortly before League vanished. The footage also showed Ruinard attempting to use League’s bank card after his death. Blood evidence found on the rear bumper and trunk of Ruinard’s car further strengthened the connection between the suspect and the victim.
“Seasoned murder case prosecutors in our department meticulously sifted through almost 4,000 pages of documents related to this homicide investigation. Following a thorough five-month examination, we successfully obtained an indictment,” stated County Attorney Mitchell, emphasizing the relentless effort to press charges against Ruinard. She stressed that this indictment is a crucial stride towards securing justice for Parker League and his family.
Ruinard is up against a complicated legal battle, with charges going beyond the murder and concealment of League’s body. Additional charges include possession for sale and manufacture of narcotic drugs, misconduct involving weapons, and credit card theft/fraud. His trial is set to start in July.
League’s death is more than a crime story; it highlights the unforeseen risks that can emerge from everyday encounters and the deep sorrow experienced by a family deprived of their loved one.
