GUILTY NM - Craig Cavanaugh, 44, Mazatzal Casino, Payson, 4 July 2019

[PommyMommy]

RBBM -- This statement is kind of confusing to me. It says the men using the credit cards were identified by Farmington detectives, but then it makes it sound like they have no suspects or that they haven't been talked to. Do they mean just that LE identified the use of cards through their investigation, or do they mean they actually identified the two men and now have names?

My understanding is that they've identified the two men who used the cards, have not revealed their identities, but have asked the public for help in locating them. MOO

New Mexico police ask for help locating men who used credit cards belonging to missing man Craig Cavanaugh

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

My understanding is that they've identified the two men who used the cards, have not revealed their identities, but have asked the public for help in locating them. MOO

New Mexico police ask for help locating men who used credit cards belonging to missing man Craig Cavanaugh

You save the day as always, PM!

I swear I previously (weeks ago) saw CCTV footage of two completely different people buying a cubic refrigerator at a Home Depot. Let me go back and make sure I'm not losing my mind.

ETA: Went back and checked and it is the same guys as on page 1 of this thread, just appears to be a different camera angle. Sure hope someone has some good information.

 

[PommyMommy]

You save the day as always, PM!

I swear I previously (weeks ago) saw CCTV footage of two completely different people buying a cubic refrigerator at a Home Depot. Let me go back and make sure I'm not losing my mind.

ETA: Went back and checked and it is the same guys as on page 1 of this thread, just appears to be a different camera angle. Sure hope someone has some good information.

Your mind is intact, I'm quite certain.

I don't know what to think about the fact that LE hasn't located these two individuals (assuming they haven't). I mean, they don't give me the impression they're some mastermind criminals since they're front and center on camera at Home Depot. KWIM? MOO

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

Your mind is intact, I'm quite certain.

I don't know what to think about the fact that LE hasn't located these two individuals (assuming they haven't). I mean, they don't give me the impression they're some mastermind criminals since they're front and center on camera at Home Depot. KWIM? MOO

Exactly! Somewhat related to this - I started getting credit card statements in the mail in my name saying there was $200 purchases at a local Home Depot. I knew I had never opened that kind of credit card, and I NEVER go to Home Depot as I'm more a Lowes person. The county police posted a CCTV screencap of the guy in the store and within a few days he was arrested. This is a former "friend" who rarely leaves his house, so if they could find him then I don't see how they can't find these two dummies.

 

[PommyMommy]

Exactly! Somewhat related to this - I started getting credit card statements in the mail in my name saying there was $200 purchases at a local Home Depot. I knew I had never opened that kind of credit card, and I NEVER go to Home Depot as I'm more a Lowes person. The county police posted a CCTV screencap of the guy in the store and within a few days he was arrested. This is a former "friend" who rarely leaves his house, so if they could find him then I don't see how they can't find these two dummies.

Wow. The audacity of some people. It never fails to amaze me that criminals don't take cameras into consideration (or just don't care).

Hopefully, it's just a matter of time until these two are caught but it's baffling that they haven't been located yet. The article I linked says the police department’s post has received over 30,000 shares and reached 1.6 million people. And, that was over a month ago! MOO

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

Wow. The audacity of some people. It never fails to amaze me that criminals don't take cameras into consideration (or just don't care).

Hopefully, it's just a matter of time until these two are caught but it's baffling that they haven't been located yet. The article I linked says the police department’s post has received over 30,000 shares and reached 1.6 million people. And, that was over a month ago! MOO

I'm extremely intrigued to know how Craig and these two dudes actually crossed paths. Also, I wonder if they are using actual credit cards or if they were using any of his debit cards? I'm assuming it had to be credit as I don't see how they would obtain his PIN, however, with so many missing pieces at this time it's hard to even speculate, MOO.

 

[Valiant]

I'm not surprised the two on the security cameras aren't caught yet.
It is amazing how mobile some criminals are (assuming the two using the victim's credit card didn't have permission).
They may not have permanent addresses and often leave town if the heat is on.

 

[enter_a_name]

I'm extremely intrigued to know how Craig and these two dudes actually crossed paths. Also, I wonder if they are using actual credit cards or if they were using any of his debit cards? I'm assuming it had to be credit as I don't see how they would obtain his PIN, however, with so many missing pieces at this time it's hard to even speculate, MOO.

I agree. Based on where his body was located, it seems thatCraig took the I40 route from Holbrook towards Flagstaff. Maybe the credit card thieves used his card at the Payson gas station to confuse the investigation?

Curious why the Coconino County Sheriff's Department hasn't posted a press release on the case?

 

[PommyMommy]

I agree. Based on where his body was located, it seems thatCraig took the I40 route from Holbrook towards Flagstaff. Maybe the credit card thieves used his card at the Payson gas station to confuse the investigation?

Curious why the Coconino County Sheriff's Department hasn't posted a press release on the case?

BBM

I think it's more likely the truck simply needed gas to get them to the Peoria/Glendale area. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

Looking back at this "we have an update" but are waiting for authorization... It seems it started on Aug 7. So, I am thinking they found remains about that time and have been waiting for the ME to make an identification, which was done yesterday, per the press release. Press Releases – Farmington Police Department Blog

AUG 7, 2019
Help Us Find Craig Cavanaugh
An update will be posted this week.

AUG 10, 2019
Help Us Find Craig Cavanaugh
They have an update but are waiting for authorization from LE to post it.

AUG 16, 2019
Help Us Find Craig Cavanaugh
Still waiting for the update to be released; they have been told it will be any day now.

 

[PommyMommy]

Updated

JUL 4 - CC left Farmington NM to go to a job site in Peoria. He was supposed to be back home that night or early the next morning.
JUL 4 - CC’s iPhone was last traced to the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino parking lot in Payson at 1:39 p.m. and a witness reported seeing him there that afternoon.
JUL 5 - 7 - Purchases were made on CC’s credit card at a Maverick gas station in Payson as well as a QuikTrip in Peoria and a Dillard’s in Glendale.
JUL 5 - Two men used CC's credit card at the Home Depot in Glendale to buy a freezer and another item
JUL 12 - CC's 2012 Toyota Tacoma was found but LE will not say where it was found or in what condition.
Unknown date (possibly on or about Aug 7) – CC’s remains were found by Navajo County and Coconino County deputies.
AUG 12 - CC is due in Yavapai County AZ Superior Court. He has pleaded NG in a drug case.
AUG 29 – CC’s body was identified in Coconino County AZ and LE announced that two suspects have been identified

MAP - Farmington, Payson, Peoria, Glendale

 

[SandSage]

So (I hope I'm not breaking rules, it is on their FB page) - The Coconino Sheriff Department has a new statement regarding the investigation. This confuses things even more as their press release states 3 men used the credit cards at a gas station in Payson. There are other details as well.

Coconino County Sheriff's Office

 

[PommyMommy]

So (I hope I'm not breaking rules, it is on their FB page) - The Coconino Sheriff Department has a new statement regarding the investigation. This confuses things even more as their press release states 3 men used the credit cards at a gas station in Payson. There are other details as well.

Coconino County Sheriff's Office

Wow, definitely a few twists there... MOO

• Craig's credit cards were used by three males in Payson, Glendale, and Peoria between July 5 and July 7, 2019.
• The men using the credit cards are not considered suspects in Craig’s disappearance.
• Craig's truck was found in New Mexico on July 12.
• Two possible suspects were identified who were believed to be with Craig in Payson on July 4th.
• One of the suspects provided information that led detectives to a wooded area just off Hwy 260 outside Heber, AZ where the body was located on August 5.
• Identification of the deceased could not be readily made. However, Craig was identified later by fingerprints.

 

[SandSage]

Thank you for breaking that down, PommyMommy. My head is SWIMMING.

 

[PommyMommy]

Thank you for breaking that down, PommyMommy. My head is SWIMMING.

Thank you for finding it for us. I'm still letting it sink in... MOO

 

[Blue Ridge]

I'm surprised that the men using his cards are not the suspects in his disappearance...........it was two different men, and it was information from them that led to Craig's body.
And....while all the rest happened in Arizona.... the truck was found in New Mexico!

 

[PommyMommy]

I'm surprised that the men using his cards are not the suspects in his disappearance...........it was two different men, and it was information from them that led to Craig's body.
And....while all the rest happened in Arizona.... the truck was found in New Mexico!

Oh, I'm so glad you said that - I missed that the truck was found in NM! I'm going to edit my post. MOO

 

[Detectivediva]

I have a theory. It's been awhile since I've read much on this case so I can't remember what type of drugs Craig was charged with. Is it possible that Craig 'traded' his credit cards for heroin or Fentanyl? And then perhaps these other two men were partying with him and knew where he was last seen spending time? I think he might have ODed and that's why the family isn't providing more updates. It seems to fit and explain why the guys using his cards are not suspected in his disappearance and why no other arrests have been made (yet).

 

[The Night Watchman]

Wow, definitely a few twists there... MOO

• Craig's credit cards were used by three males in Payson, Glendale, and Peoria between July 5 and July 7, 2019.
• The men using the credit cards are not considered suspects in Craig’s disappearance.
• Craig's truck was found in New Mexico on July 12.
• Two possible suspects were identified who were believed to be with Craig in Payson on July 4th.
• One of the suspects provided information that led detectives to a wooded area just off Hwy 260 outside Heber, AZ where the body was located on August 5.
• Identification of the deceased could not be readily made. However, Craig was identified later by fingerprints.

I have nowhere go with a theory as to what happened. None of this makes sense.

The men using credit cards are not suspects. Clearly stated. LE must have text and location information for all players that explains this, because it doesn't add up.

Preplanned suicide?

 

[Rural_PC]

"Navajo County Sheriff’s Office are now taking over this case, as a death investigation"

from post #152.