Staff Reports
SAN CARLOS APACHE RESERVATION – Authorities on the San Carlos Apache Reservation are investigating what they have classified as a homicide following the discovery of a man’s body near a popular casino entrance over the weekend.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, at approximately 2 p.m., the San Carlos Apache Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive man located off U.S. Highway 70, near the entrance to the Apache Gold Casino. Initial assessments at the scene raised immediate suspicions, and the case was swiftly elevated to a homicide investigation after confirming the victim had died under suspicious circumstances.
The victim, identified as Jessie Russell Sr., a community member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Details surrounding the incident remain limited as the probe continues, with investigators urging the public to come forward with any relevant information.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation, and more information will be shared as it becomes available,” a department spokesperson stated in a public release.
The Apache Gold Casino, a key economic and cultural hub for the tribe, draws visitors from across the region, making the location’s proximity to the highway a point of concern for local law enforcement. Officials have not released information on a suspected motive, potential suspects, or the exact cause of death, pending autopsy results and further evidence collection.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the San Carlos Apache Police Department directly at (928) 475-2311. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted online via the department’s secure web portal at www.tip411.com/tips/sancarlosazpd/new.
The San Carlos Apache Police Department continues to appeal for public assistance, stressing that even small details could prove pivotal in advancing the case. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains vigilant, honoring Russell’s memory while awaiting answers.
