Nevada Authorities Confirm Identity of Body in Prescott Man’s Mysterious Disappearance

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the tragic discovery of a deceased individual found alongside I-15 in Nevada. Authorities have confirmed that the victim is 66-year-old Russell T. Vinton, a resident of Prescott, who had been reported missing earlier this month.

Vinton’s body was discovered around 7:26 a.m. on October 6, showing signs of severe trauma and multiple gunshot wounds. His family shared the heartbreaking news of his passing via a Facebook post, expressing their grief and confusion over the circumstances of his death. “My uncle has been found deceased,” stated Elizabeth Lawson from Queen Creek. “He was killed while camping and was located in Nevada. This is not the outcome our family expected, but now we have some sort of closure since he was found. We will never know why someone did this to him.”

Prior to this tragic event, Vinton had been camping in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. Family members reported him missing after he did not appear for jury duty, prompting authorities to search for him. Investigators later located his vehicle in Craggy Wash, which led to a tense confrontation involving Lake Havasu City Police detectives.

Inside Vinton’s vehicle was 61-year-old Patrick N. Champion. Upon the detectives’ arrival, Champion allegedly opened fire, prompting a gunfight in which he was fatally shot. The confrontation also resulted in minor injuries to the detectives after Champion attempted to ram their police vehicle.

The Bullhead City Police Department is now overseeing the investigation into the gunfire exchange, while Coconino County authorities are spearheading the inquiry into Vinton’s disappearance, with assistance from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

As of Friday evening, Vinton’s travel trailer, a 2017 “Man Cave” model, remains missing. It is identifiable by the license plate reading “5LA50N.”

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.