Highlights
- Matthew Flores, 27, is the primary suspect in the killings of his parents Hector and Larissa Flores in Litchfield Park.
- Officers found two bodies in shallow backyard graves and evidence of a cleanup attempt inside the home during a welfare check.
- Authorities believe Flores fled the United States before police searched the property, triggering an international manhunt.
- Extradition could be complicated if Flores is apprehended in a country without a U.S. extradition treaty.
A welfare check requested by concerned relatives led Avondale Police to two shallow graves in the backyard of a Litchfield Park home this week, launching a double-homicide investigation and an international manhunt for Matthew Flores, 27, the primary suspect in the killings of his parents, Hector and Larissa Flores.
The investigation began after family members contacted the Avondale Police Department reporting they had not heard from the couple or their son. When officers arrived at the home near Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard, they found signs of a struggle and a significant amount of blood inside the residence, along with evidence of an attempt to clean up the scene. A search of the property led officers to the backyard, where they discovered two shallow graves. A neighbor reported hearing someone scream "please stop" the day before the bodies were discovered, according to earlier reporting by Arizona's Family.
While police have not officially released the identities of the deceased, the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner lists two pending autopsies pointing to Hector and Larissa Flores.
Authorities believe Matthew Flores fled the United States before officers searched the property, though they have not disclosed his suspected destination or the basis for that determination. Local law enforcement has partnered with the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. If Flores is located abroad, his return to Arizona will depend on whether the apprehending country holds an extradition treaty with the United States. Several nations, including China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, do not share such treaties, which could complicate prosecution efforts.
A representative for the family released a statement saying the Flores Semyonov family is devastated and fully cooperating with law enforcement, asking for privacy during the ongoing investigation.
Forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre, analyzing the crime scene and suspect behavior for Arizona's Family, noted a mixture of deliberation and panic. Flores allegedly buried the bodies but left substantial blood evidence inside the home. "He spent a long time because he buried the bodies, but why not clean up the scene better?" Delatorre said. Delatorre characterized the flight from the country as a panic move, arguing a more calculated suspect could have bought weeks of additional time by telling family members the couple was traveling.
Delatorre also addressed the psychology of parricide. "Children who kill their parents often externalize their own misfortunes and start blaming their parents as the root cause of why these misfortunes are happening," he said.
Why could extradition be complicated?
Extradition requires a formal treaty between the United States and the country where a suspect is apprehended. Several nations, including China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, do not share extradition treaties with the U.S. If Flores is located in one of those countries, his return to Arizona to face charges would depend on international diplomacy rather than treaty obligation.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Matthew Flores is asked to contact local authorities or Silent Witness. The investigation is ongoing, with federal and international agencies actively involved in the search.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 09/08/2026 05:15
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 09/08/2026 05:15
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 09/08/2026 05:15. Every claim traces to a source.
