Missing New Mexico man Craig Cavanaugh identified as body found in Arizona
Farmington Police Department said in a press release tht the body found in Arizona was the New Mexico man Craig Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh, 44, was found dead by Navajo County and Coconino County authorities and identified on August 28, 2019.
Craig Cavanaugh
Officials detailed that “Cavanaugh was last seen in Farmington on July 4, 2019. He was headed to Peoria, Arizona for a job but never arrived. Cavanaugh’s phone was last pinged in Payson, Arizona and a witness stated they saw him in Payson, but no other evidence supported that statement. Cavanaugh’s credit cards were used by two males in Payson, Glendale, and Peoria between July 5 and July 7, 2019.”
“Cavanaugh’s 2012 Toyota Tacoma truck was recovered on July 12, 2019. The males using the credit cards were identified by Farmington detectives working with Arizona law enforcement agencies. Craig Cavanaugh’s body was located by Navajo County and Coconino County deputies.”
Authorities confirmed that two suspects have been identified, but said the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff’s offices in Coconio and Navajo counties searched in the Woods Canyon Lake area, just outside Forest Lakes, Arizona based on a tip received by Farmington detectives. They did not find anything during that search.
As Dateline reported in its Missing in America series in July, Craig was last seen in Farmington on July 4, 2019. He was headed to Peoria, Arizona for a job, but never arrived.
Craig’s phone was last pinged in Payson, Arizona and according to Public Information Officer Nicole Brown, a witness stated they saw him in Payson, but no other evidence supported that statement.
The Help Us Find Craig Cavanaugh Facebook page posted a statement from Craig’s family, stating he was found deceased.
“It is with extreme sadness and heartbreak that we announce to you that Craig Cavanaugh was found deceased,” according to the statement. “He was a beloved father of two daughters, Micaylah and Gracie, a loving son, devoted fiancé, nephew, cousin and friend. Since he went missing on July 4th, we prayed everyday for a different ending and we are completely devastated to learn this news.”
The statement continued, “We want to thank every person that has followed this case, prayed with and for us, helped search or simply just reached out to send their thoughts. We know you share in our sadness of this news. Your loyal support and kind words have helped us through this.
We want to extend our sincerest appreciation to Detective Lauren Jones from the Coconino Sheriff’s Department, Detective Kenneth Smith from the Farmington Police Department, all of the other agents, investigators and law enforcement agencies.”
Anyone with information about the case can call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523.
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