Highlights
- Matthew Flores, 27, is suspected of killing his parents, Hector and Larissa Flores, at their Litchfield Park home.
- Avondale police found two bodies buried in shallow graves in the backyard after a family-requested welfare check.
- Flores is believed to have fled the United States before the discovery; an international manhunt is underway.
- Extradition could be complicated depending on the country where Flores is apprehended, as several nations lack U.S. treaties.
Matthew Flores, 27, is the primary suspect in the murders of his parents, Hector and Larissa Flores, whose bodies authorities believe he buried in the backyard of their Litchfield Park home near Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard before fleeing the United States, according to the Avondale Police Department.
The investigation began when family members contacted Avondale PD after they had not heard from the couple or their son. Officers arrived to conduct a welfare check and found signs of a struggle and a significant amount of blood inside the residence. A search of the property led to the backyard, where two shallow graves were discovered. Avondale Police Officer Daniel Benavidez confirmed during the initial response that officers were in the process of recovering two unidentified bodies. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner lists two pending autopsies pointing to Hector and Larissa Flores, though police have not officially released the identities of the deceased.
Forensic psychologist Dr. John Delatorre, analyzing the crime scene for Arizona's Family, said the evidence inside the home showed attempts to conceal the crime and clean up blood, but the overall picture pointed to a suspect who lost composure. "He spent a long time because he buried the bodies, but why not clean up the scene better?" Delatorre said. "It seems more panicked, and escaping seems like a panic move when he didn't necessarily need to do that."
Delatorre also described the psychological pattern common in parricide cases, explaining that children who kill their parents often externalize their own failures and come to blame their parents as the root cause of their misfortunes.
Investigators confirmed Flores is believed to have left the country, though they have not disclosed his suspected destination or the method by which they determined he crossed a federal border. Local agencies are working with the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case has drawn coverage from 12News, ABC News, and Newsweek, all of which have independently confirmed Flores as the named suspect.
A representative for the family released a statement saying the Flores Semyonov family is devastated, is fully cooperating with law enforcement, and asks for privacy during the ongoing investigation.
What happens if Flores is caught abroad?
Extradition requires a formal treaty between the United States and the country where Flores is apprehended. Several nations, including China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, do not share extradition treaties with the U.S., which could complicate capture and prosecution efforts depending on where he is located.
Anyone with information on Flores's whereabouts is asked to contact local authorities or Silent Witness. The investigation is ongoing.
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 04:45
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 09/08/2026 04:45
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 04:45. Every claim traces to a source.
